The Green Bay Packers fell to 3-6 with a tragic loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. Now, all eyes are on the 2024 season. It's too early to rule anything out entirely, but it's clear the Packers as currently constructed will not compete for a postseason spot.
There is plenty of blame to go around. Joe Barry is the most maligned defensive coordinator in the NFL. Christian Watson's projected sophomore leap has turned into a sophomore slump. Even head coach Matt LaFleur, he of three straight 13-win seasons with Aaron Rodgers, is starting to feel a bit of warmth beneath his seat.
At the end of the day, however, criticism will circle back to the quarterback. Jordan Love has been anything but consistent in his first season at the controls. There are flashes, but a 58.7 percent completion rate with 2,009 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in nine starts won't move the needle much for those skeptical about the Packers' immediate or future title chances.
If Green Bay wants to make a real run at the Super Bowl in 2024, it will probably require a change at QB. There's merit to the idea of seeing the Love experiment through (he still has half a season left to play!), but he's not at the level necessary to seriously compete in the near future.
3Jordan Love alternatives for the Packers to consider in the offseason
3. J.J. McCarthy
It's hard to win with young quarterbacks in the NFL. It's rare for lightning to strike as quickly as C.J. Stroud has for the Houston Texans, and the Packers spending a first or second-round pick on J.J. McCarthy would essentially be an admission of failure on the Jordan Love front.
But, this is arguably the smartest move — to invest in the best available arm talent in the NFL Draft given Love's struggles with consistency under pressure. One has to believe Caleb Williams and Drake Maye will be off the board when the Packers select, but a sustained late-season tank could change that equation.
For now, let's pencil in J.J. McCarthy as the best "realistic" rookie for the Packers to target. He has been a complete buzzsaw in command of the undefeated, No. 3-ranked Michigan Wolverines, completing 76.2 percent of his passes for 2,194 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.
PFF expert Trevor Sikkema described McCarthy as a QB who "can hit the 'Sunday throw' with both distance and velocity" with improving touch. McCarthy ranks at the No. 35 prospect on the PFF big board, which suggests that he could be available either midway through the first round or early in the second round.
A proven college star from a top-five program, with multiple high-profile wins under his belt, is always a strong bet. McCarthy has the arm talent to deliver immediate results for a Packers team in need of more dynamism from their signal-caller.
2. Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray made his long-awaited return to action in Week 10 and, lo and behold, the Arizona Cardinals won a football game. It's a little early to start up the parade floats, but Murray was a No. 1 pick with two well-deserved Pro Bowl appearances prior to his injury. The 2022 season was rough around the edges — 3-8 record under center — but even in a "bad" season, Murray completed 66.4 percent of his passes, threw for 2,368 yards in 11 weeks, and scored 17 total touchdowns.
There's a high ceiling with Murray. His contract will be a difficult pill to swallow for any curious trade candidates, but he signed a $230.5 million deal for a reason. There was a point in time, not long ago, that Murray deserved such a number. If he can cut back on the turnover problems (eight fumbles, seven interceptions in 2022) and get back to his high standard as a dual-threat points machine, it will be difficult for the Packers to not consider him an upgrade over Love.
Teams will be watching the Cardinals closely the rest of the way. At 2-8, there's essentially no way out of purgatory for Arizona, but there is a chance for Murray to rehab his trade value. The Cardinals are destined for a proper rebuild and Murray is no doubt eager to prove that he can still perform at a high level.
Green Bay could, in theory, acquire Murray for a discount price given the burdensome nature of his contract. That, combined with a steady arm and upside as a runner, could be enough to pique the interest of an offensive mind like Matt LaFleur and the Packers' front office.
There is undeniable risk here, but also the chance for a decent reward — the kind of reward that results in postseason victories.
1. Kirk Cousins
It would be truly strange to see Kirk Cousins in a Packers uniform after six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He is a beloved figure in that franchise, but the Vikings refused to earnestly engage in extension talks before the season and now, Cousins is expected to miss significant time with a torn Achilles.
There's a chance the unique circumstances bring both sides back together. Cousins may yearn for familiarity as he ramps back up from a serious injury, and the Vikings could see an opportunity to re-sign Cousins at a discount. That said, the market for Cousins should remain vast if he chooses to test the waters. It's not often than a consensus top-10 QB becomes available, potentially on the cheap.
It's fair to question how Cousins will look in his age-36 season on the backend of a significant lower-leg injury, but the Packers could be tempted to kick the tires. Cousins has never been one to beat defenses with his legs. He's a calm, cool pocket presence with the arm strength and consistency to lead a top NFL offense. Minnesota has been at least .500 with Cousins under center in all but one of his six seasons with the team.
In eight games before the injury, Cousins completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. The Vikings began the season with a sour 0-3 start, but Minnesota has since won six of their last seven — a streak that started with Cousins still at the commands.
His age is a concern, especially for a relatively young Packers group, but Cousins should have a few more years left in the tank if he so desires. Cousins is the most proven winner the Packers can realistically acquire if the goal is to contend in 2024.