The Green Bay Packers, currently with a 6-3 record in the 2024 NFL season, are taking a break during their bye week.
The team has had a relatively strong start, but their future performance will depend on key decisions made in the coming weeks.
One such decision has already been made: the trade of veteran linebacker Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.
This move has left the Packers with some gaps to fill, especially in their defensive front.
With Smith now gone, Green Bay’s defense faces the challenge of finding a balance between youth and experience.
The Packers may give more playing time to Lukas Van Ness, their first-round pick from this year’s draft, who is expected to step into the starting role left by Smith.
While Van Ness has impressive physical tools, his inexperience could leave the defense vulnerable, especially when it comes to disrupting the quarterback.
Another option the Packers might explore is adding a proven veteran like Shaq Lawson to their roster.
Brian Sampson of Dairyland Express suggests that the Packers should consider signing Lawson, a free-agent defensive end with experience across multiple teams, including the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets.
Lawson, 30, has accumulated 26 career sacks and is known for his situational pass-rushing ability.
While he may not be a game-changer, his experience could offer the Packers the stability they need in their defensive end rotation, particularly on passing downs.
Adding Lawson would allow the Packers to maintain depth, ensuring that their younger players like Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare have support as they develop throughout the season.
Lawson’s presence could address a significant concern for Green Bay: their lack of consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
As of now, the team’s sack leader is defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt with just three sacks. While the Packers have been effective at creating turnovers, their pass rush has been underwhelming. The addition of a player like Lawson could help boost that department, especially during crucial moments in the game when a sack or pressure could turn the tide.
If the Packers choose not to sign Lawson, they’ll need to rely on their younger defensive players to step up and fill the void left by Smith. Van Ness, Enagbare, and others will have ample opportunities to prove themselves, but without additional depth or experience, the team could find themselves struggling to maintain defensive consistency throughout the remainder of the season. Given their aspirations to make a deep playoff run, strengthening the pass rush could be an essential move for Green Bay as they look to compete for a Super Bowl this year.
Ultimately, the Packers’ decision to either pursue Lawson or turn to their young players will be a key factor in shaping the remainder of their 2024 season. The trade of Preston Smith has left a noticeable gap, and how the team fills it will determine whether their defense can sustain the level of play necessary to contend for a championship. As Green Bay continues to build for the future, balancing development with immediate contributions will be critical for their success.
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