Are the Packers the clearest “already worthy” in the NFL? • First and Ten

It seems that the Green Bay Packers are that team that each year is in the fight to reach the Super Bowl but always stays one step away, being a clear example of “almost” in the NFL. Despite the fact that there are other teams such as the Ravens, Seahawks, Saints, among others, who are in the playoffs and do not have the desired success either, the NFC North team is different because in 2021 they suffered their fourth defeat in a row in Games of Championship in the National Conference.

The curse after Super Bowl XLV

A quarterback of the quality of Aaron Rodgers had to have a Super Bowl win on his record, and that came in his third season as a starter under center for the Packers. With head coach Mike McCarthy, it seemed that after that triumph against the Steelers in Dallas there would be similar successes in the future or at least looking to fight for one more Super Bowl.

However, that has been the only Super Bowl that Green Bay has played in the Rodgers era and in the 2020 Season he confirmed that they are the clear example of “already merit” in the NFL. There are four National Conference Finals that they played after defeating Pittsburgh and all of them lost, including this year that was the first at Lambeau Field with the number 12.

The Seahawks in 2014 (12-point lead with 5:13 left to play at Seattle’s 46 yard with ball possession), Falcons in 2016 (loss by 23 points), 49ers in 2019 (lost by 17 points) and now the buccaneers (at home). Literally in every way they have fallen on the biggest stage in the NFC in four of their five appearances with Rodgers.

Was it the last chance in 2020?

Heading into the 2019 season, the Packers chose to fire McCarthy as their head coach and seek new glories. They hired Matt LaFleur as their head coach and despite the decision being questioned, he led Green Bay to the NFC Championship against San Francisco after finishing 13-3 in the regular season. Having been dominated by the 49ers, he wondered if it was Rodgers’ last chance to reach the Super Bowl and it seemed like it was.

However, in 2020 they took the same base with which they were successful in 2019 and not only had the same mark (13-3), but they advanced like the first sown and the only one who would rest in the Wild Card Round. Then, dominated the Rams in the Divisional Round and they would host an NFC Final that looked like it would be on their side. Despite this, they fell to the Buccaneers in a game in which they were at a disadvantage throughout.

With this, it seems like it’s really Rodgers’ last chance to make it to the Super Bowl with the Packers. Beyond the fact that he is already 37 years old, he showed himself as someone who was saying goodbye to the organization after the defeat against Tampa Bay (with him controlling his own destiny). Added to that, questioned LaFleur’s decision to go for a field goal and not for the TD in the final minutes and it seems that the relationship with his still head coach would not be the best.

What’s next for the Packers?

It seems to start from scratch and with a young base. LaFleur is 41 years old and it is true that he is 27-7 as a head coach, which is quite impressive. However, in the two Conference Finals he has had in charge of the Packers, he was left to duty and especially in the one he faced the Buccaneers. But with that come learnings and what better than just in the beginning with Green Bay.

With Rodgers potentially being out of the Packers by 2021, the era of QB Jordan Love would be beginning. The first-round selection of the 2020 NFL Draft from Green Bay would be the one to take the reins under center in the team, because when he was taken it was with a view to the future and now that Rodgers was undecided to return to the organization it seems time for Love show why they trusted him.

Success will not come immediately, but not in the very distant future either. They have great talent in Love and all the bases necessary to keep the Packers competitive, so they will continue to be an uncomfortable opponent within the NFC with LaFleur commanding them.

Do you think the Packers are that clear example of “almost now” in the NFL? We read you in the comments.