The Green Bay Packers suffered a crushing loss to the Atlanta Falcons this past Sunday, blowing a double-digit lead and a golden opportunity to improve to 2-0 in a 25-24 defeat.
While it has to be frustrating for the Packers to let such a game slip through their fingers, it is not surprising.
Even the most dedicated Packer fans surely expected the club to be a bit rough around the edges in its first season without Aaron Rodgers under center, and one can argue that Green Bay has actually looked more impressive than anticipated early on.
It also helps that the Packers are playing in a very winnable NFC North division, as no team appears primed to pull away with a lead at any point this season. At least not right now.
Here are three major questions facing Green Bay following its Week 2 loss.
How is Aaron Jones’ Health?
Running back Aaron Jones suffered a hamstring injury in the Packers’ Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears and was sidelined against the Falcons as a result. He did not partake in individual drills on Wednesday, so his status for Green Bay’s Week 3 matchup with the New Orleans Saints is up in the air.
The problem is, hamstring issues can be tricky. It is a very easy injury to re-aggravate, so the Packers will likely take things very slowly with Jones.
Jones is no stranger to injuries, as his first couple of seasons in the league in 2017 and 2018 were riddled with them. In what is now his seventh year in the NFL, Jones has only played every game twice.
The 28-year-old is a critical piece in Green Bay’s offense, both in the ground game and as a receiver out of the backfield. The Packers will certainly need him healthy if they want to make any kind of serious push.
Will the Packers Add a Wide Receiver?
The wide receiver position has been a major issue for the Packers for years running now. Even when Davante Adams was in tow, Green Bay struggled to supply Rodgers with depth at the position.
Now, Jordan Love is the starting quarterback, and the youngster could certainly use some more help in the aerial attack.
Yes, the Packers have put together a stable of young wide outs that includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed, but while all of those guys have potential, none are proven commodities.
Green Bay has between now and the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline to get Love some more help. Stud receivers like Tee Higgins and Mike Evans could be available, and if they do hit the trade block, general manager Brian Gutekunst should instantly get on the phone and talk to the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Love has flashed solid arm talent through the first two weeks, so a reliable downfield target would make him feel a lot more comfortable.
Will the Packers Bolster Their Pass Rush?
The Packers finished 28th in the NFL with just 34 sacks in 2022. They are off to a better start this season, logging five sacks over the first two weeks. That puts them on pace for about 42 or 43 sacks over the course of 17 games. However, it would behoove them to add another pass rusher.
Green Bay did attempt to address this issue in the draft, taking University of Iowa defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick. Van Ness has already registered a sack, but it seems doubtful that he can solve the Packers’ issues getting to the quarterback on his own. Especially in his rookie campaign.
Edge rushers like Brian Burns and Matthew Judon could become available over the next several weeks, so Green Bay could find itself in a position to add an elite defensive talent.
