General Manager Brian Gutekunst just couldn’t ignore the disaster unfolding at Lambeau. After a brutal 35-14 beatdown by the previously 0-2 Atlanta Falcons on “Thursday Night Football,” it was clear something had to give. The Green Bay Packers, now sitting at a dismal 1-2, are in a serious hole, and it all points back to an offensive line that is just not getting it done.
The Numbers Are Screaming Red Flags
This isn’t just a bad game or two, man. This is a full-blown crisis in Green Bay. We’re talking about the Packers trailing by double-digit points in all three games this season, a first since 2014. And get this: in Week 3, they got outrushed an insane 242 yards to just 17. That’s the third-worst margin for that franchise since 1980! LaFleur’s clearly got no faith in his run game, calling run plays on a pathetic 26.7% of the team’s snaps, way less than anyone else in the league. Their 146 total team rushing yards are the fewest in the entire NFL through nine weeks, and we’re talking a massive 97 yards less than the next-closest team, the Broncos. It’s an absolute mess.
Jordan Love Is Fighting For His Life Out There
And then there’s Jordan Love. The dude has been one of the most efficient passers since taking over in 2023, even tossing multiple touchdowns in all three games this season. But you can see he’s pressing. His accuracy is way off, sitting at a 52.4% completion percentage, which is the second-worst in the league. Why? Because he’s been pressured a ridiculous 59 times, the second-most in the NFL! Only Bryce Young has seen more heat. When Love’s under pressure, his off-target rate is a league-high 28%, and you know what that means: the Packers are converting a miserable, league-low 27.8% of their third downs. This wasn’t happening when their offense was humming, being the 10th-highest scoring unit from 2023 to 2025. But this year, their offensive line has been completely miscalculated. Right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele, one of the best, went down in Week 2 with a patellar tendon tear, and left guard Aaron Banks has been in and out with his own injuries. The rest of the line, outside of center Sean Rhyan, looks overwhelmed. Young guys like Jordan Morgan, Donovan Jennings, Jager Burton, Jacob Monk, and Anthony Belton just can’t hang with NFL starters right now.
Gutekunst knew he had to act fast, bringing in three veterans to hopefully shore up that leaky line. This team is spiraling, and if they don’t fix the protection for Love, this season is going to be a long one for everyone in Green Bay.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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