Author Archives: cbarto66

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The prediction remains unchanged. The Packers will be better this season, and they’ll reach Super Bowl LVII. General manager Brian Gutekunst’s decision to trade All-Pro receiver Davante Adams was a bitter pill to swallow. When a player of Adams’ undeniable talent and character leaves, for whatever reason, it’s … Packers trade Adams, keep Douglas, Tonyan

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The NFL’s best teams reload. The worst rebuild. The Packers have taken a more subtle approach: They’re remodeling. If the Packers win Super Bowl LVII it will be an “inside job” that didn’t require (fingers crossed) breaking the bank. Sure, they have acquired outside help along the way. … Packers don’t rebuild, they remodel a winner

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ defense made tremendous strides last season thanks to the always steady and occasionally spectacular play of veteran linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Preston Smith. On Monday, the Packers retained half of that winning tag-team by signing Preston Smith to a four-year, $52.5 million contract extension. Smith, 29, … Preston Smith returns, Adams not playin’ tag

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – After all these long seasons, this is what “all in” looks like. It looks like a 38-year-old philosophy professor with a hip man-bun, Zen outlook and burning desire to finish an uncompleted journey. And it looks like $200 million over four years, with $153 million guaranteed, being delivered … Packers, Rodgers take Super Bowl plunge

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The arrival of the NFL’s first mock draft is like seeing the first robin of spring. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as you daydream about all the grand possibilities that lie ahead. When the first 2022 mock draft lit upon my laptop screen … Packers’ draft needs intersect with talent

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers’ defense improved by Lambeau leaps and bounds under the direction of first-year coordinator Joe Barry in 2021. Green Bay (13-4) finished as the NFL’s ninth-ranked defense under Barry, who replaced Mike Pettine in the previous offseason. It was interesting that the Packers retained every defensive assistant … Packers’ defense has serious cap challenges

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – While the “Aaron Rodgers Watch” rolls into late February the Packers are playing out the scenarios with, and without, their star quarterback. This week, I’ll take a look at the Packers’ offense going into 2022. The specter of life without Rodgers is daunting, but it’s not all doom … Packers’ offense still potent going into ‘22

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – The next play is Aaron Rodgers’ to call. The Packers made news on the NFL’s newsiest weekend with reports, according to sources, that they are willing to make Aaron Rodgers the league’s highest-paid quarterback with a three-year extension. Their plan is to spend as close to the salary … Packers’ ‘offer’ puts ball in Rodgers’ hands

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – Parting is such sweet sorrow. The sorrow comes with the realization that Aaron Rodgers likely has taken his final snap at quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. The sweet part is daydreaming about how to spend all that draft capital. Rodgers, who is coming off a second-straight MVP-caliber … Smart $ says Packers, Rodgers part ways

By Chris Havel GREEN BAY, Wis. – Matt LaFleur has accomplished a great deal in three seasons as the Packers’ head coach. His 39-10 regular-season record makes him the all-time winningest coach in NFL history in their first three seasons. He also was integral in Aaron Rodgers’ return to MVP form, Davante Adams’ record-breaking play … Packers replace Getsy, Hackett from within