Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has seen four straight seasons end with playoff losses since the team won Super Bowl XLV, something he says has kept his hunger for another title at a high level while also helping him “realize how special the opportunity really is.”
Rodgers thinks that 2015 will bring another opportunity to add a second ring to his collection. During a conversation with Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he had a positive review of what he’s seen from the defense during offseason work and even more optimism about the offensive unit.
The Packers had three significant contributors to their offense hit free agency this offseason, but tackle Bryan Bulaga, wide receiver Randall Cobb and fullback John Kuhn won’t be wearing new uniforms in 2015. Green Bay re-signed all three players, which means the entire starting lineup of the offense that led the NFL in points last season will remain in place for another year. The Pack then added wide receiver Ty Montgomery in the third round of the draft, leaving Rodgers to compare this group to the championship team.
“We always feel like we’re going to be in the mix but offensively this is an exciting year when you look at everybody who’s coming back,” Rodgers said. “It’d be fun to get back to the kind of rooms we had when we were doing the Sports Illustrated cover with Jermichael [Finley], Jordy [Nelson], Greg [Jennings], Donald [Driver] and James [Jones]. Those were some pretty special groups right there. I think we have that potential.”
If the Packers can avoid a string of serious injuries, there’s little reason to think that scoring points is going to be a problem in Wisconsin this season. Based on the last four seasons, though, it’s also clear that’s not enough to win a title all on its own.