Sterling Sharpe and Davante Adams left Green Bay under very different circumstances, but aside from the reason for their exits, the situations between then and now are eerily similar. Both players were 29 years old. Both players were coming off seasons that saw them catch over 90 passes and score more than 10 TDs. Both players were targeted an exorbitant number of times. And both the ’94 Packers and the ’21 Packers didn’t have a proven replacement on the roster.
Fortunately, the offense was just fine without Sharpe in 1995. The Packers averaged two points and 28 yards more per game, and quarterback Brett Favre’s statistics also improved. The future Hall of Famer threw for 531 more yards, and his touchdowns went up while his interceptions went down. Those are hopeful signs for the post-Adams offense next season, but it’s extremely important to remember all the work then-general manager Ron Wolf did to make that happen.
Wolf didn’t just sit back and hope his holdover players would step up. Sure he had a promising young wide receiver in Robert Brooks and a promising young tight end in Mark Chmura, but the future Hall of Fame executive knew he had to add proven veteran talent to the positions. That’s why he traded a second-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Keith Jackson and Mark Ingram. The former was a three-time All-Pro tight end, and the latter was an established No. 2 wide receiver.
Current GM Brian Gutekunst needs to be just as aggressive in acquiring talent this offseason as the man who hired him was 27 years ago. In fact, it’s even more imperative because these Packers don’t appear to have a Brooks or a Chmura ready to emerge. And while next month’s draft should add an exciting young prospect or two to the roster, the chances of that player making a huge impact are slim. Since Aaron Rodgers took over as starting quarterback in 2008, the most catches by a rookie wide receiver or tight end are 38 by Marquez Valdes-Scantling in 2007. The four-time MVP doesn’t fully trust young players, even ones as talented as Adams, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and Jermichael Finley.
The offense improved without Sharpe because Favre was forced to spread the ball around. He no longer had eyes for only one player. But he also had some really good weapons around him. Chmura and Jackson, once he ended his holdout in October, were the best 1-2 punch at tight end in the league, and Brooks blossomed into a legitimate No. 1 receiver. Along with two talented runners (Dorsey Levens and Edgar Bennett) and a solid line, the offense was better than ever.
Like Favre in 1995, Rodgers will be forced to spread the ball around in 2022. And while that’s a good thing, he needs better weapons at his disposal. Rehabbing Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis aren’t Jackson and Chmura, and it’s highly doubtful young Amari Rodgers is the next Brooks. The Packers do have two talented runners (Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon) and a solid line, so the missing ingredient is simple – a proven No. 1 wide receiver or at least a high-end No. 2. Gutekunst can’t just sit back and hope the prospect or prospects he selects early in next month’s draft will fill that role.
Finding that veteran player won’t be easy. There are no available free agents who fit that profile and a pair of No. 1 receivers (Amari Cooper and Tyreek Hill) have already been traded to teams not named the Packers. But there are others out there. Gutekunst just needs to be willing to pay the price to get them. Wolf had no qualms about dealing a No. 2 for Jackson and Ingram, but he didn’t value picks as much as Gutekunst, who’s never traded more than a No. 6 for a player.
The time is now for Gutekunst to change his philosophy. Sure, the offense will still be productive regardless of what does or doesn’t transpire in the upcoming weeks. Having an all-time great player under center will see to that. But if the goal is to win another championship, that won’t happen without some heavy-duty lifting this offseason. The Packers have seen what excellent defenses can do to their offense – even with Adams – the past three Januarys. To keep that from occurring again, Gutekunst needs to follow the blueprint used by Wolf the year after Sharpe was forced to retire from the NFL due to a neck injury. It may be against his nature, but elite general managers adapt. They also win Super Bowls.
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Excellent work, Michael. Totally agree with the entire post. I would have loved to see a deal for Allen Robinson or Amari Cooper. I think the challenge for the Packers in a trade scenario is working a big existing contract under the cap. Would likely need the player to agree to a new backloaded deal.
If Gute does have something cooking, this would be a great time to have Rodgers doing some recruiting behind the scenes. Hopefully that’s part of the new and improved relationship between the two GMs.
The point you make about Rodgers not trusting rookie receivers is another big challenge. I fear Gute is going to pick a WR or two and TE in the draft and then sift through the leftovers this summer or during training camp cuts for a vet.
The team is not going to be legitimate contender with the current WR/TE room, even with a high draft pick added. I hope Gute surprises us with a bold move, but I’m not holding my breath.
One big difference in the analogy’s is it was the beginning of Favres career and the end of Rodgers.
This is an interest point, Michael. It’s hopeful to see that the Packers actually improved sans Sharpe. Boy would it be nice to have a Robert Brooks-type on the roster right now. Glad to see that Gutey at least is looking into Lockett. The more I think about it the more I believe that Gutey will shop the 2 from the Raiders to get a veteran. Then draft a WR at 22 – or possibly even a move up. I’m really curious what the TE class looks like in this draft. With Reed now signed I wouldn’t be surprised if the first two rounds go all offense.
My other wondering is whether Adams departure kind of forces Rodgers into embracing LaFleur’s offense more and we’ll see more of what LaFleur is hoping for in his offense. That’s been the case during the 7-0 stretch w/o Adams, though against mostly average or bad teams having bad days. Might the way the Pack looked against the Cardinals – RBs playing vital roles; great defense; critical ST turnover with the other team – be the primary look for 2022?