National media outlet points out the move that will take Packers from pretenders to contenders
The Green Bay Packers are off to a 3-1 start this season, which on paper would seem to indicate they're destined for their fourth straight NFC North division title. Not everyone, however, feels that Green Bay's 3-1 start means the Packers are one of the teams to beat in the NFC. CBS Sports, in fact, […]
The Green Bay Packers are off to a 3-1 start this season, which on paper would seem to indicate they're destined for their fourth straight NFC North division title.
Not everyone, however, feels that Green Bay's 3-1 start means the Packers are one of the teams to beat in the NFC.
CBS Sports, in fact, feels like the Packers are a "pretender" this season.
But they feel there's one move they can make that will turn Green Bay into a contender.
Signing free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The Packers have the No. 6 offense in the NFL entering Week 5, although that is in large part due to Aaron Jones (408 scrimmage yards) and A.J. Dillon (280 scrimmage yards). Green Bay actually has the No. 16 passing offense in the NFL, as the Packers average 232.5 passing yards per game. The Packers are also averaging just 18.8 points per game this season, which are the fewest points they have averaged through four contests since 2006! It ranks No. 21 in the NFL.
I will say that I really like this Packers defense, and they will be the reason Green Bay repeats as NFC North champions. At receiver, Allen Lazard is serviceable and I'm excited what Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are capable of, but Aaron Rodgers is missing that clear No. 1 wideout that he can rely on heavily when it comes to orchestrating a game-winning drive. The Packers will make the playoffs, but how much of a threat are they, really, to win a Super Bowl? If they sign Odell Beckham Jr. then I'll switch them from pretenders to contenders.

I don't think the Packers necessarily need OBJ to become a contender — I think the Packers are already legitimate contenders.
But he would certainly help bring some stability to Green Bay's offense.
Aaron Rodgers is dealing with a bit of a youth infusion right now with the Packers and it's taking some time to adjust. Eventually, I think Green Bay will be just fine and the offense will perform at a high level.
We saw flashes of that last week against the New England Patriots. Some of the execution wasn't sound, which resulted in some plays not being made, but the scheme was working. Guys were open.
As Rodgers becomes more comfortable with players like Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson (both rookies), I think we'll see the offense start to look like a typical Green Bay offense.
Adding OBJ to the picture would be exciting. And he would make the Packers better. But I'm not sure it's a move that Green Bay has to make.
This Packers defense is special. And I have no doubt that Rodgers will "figure it out" as the season progresses. Green Bay should be right in the thick of things come playoff time — without or without OBJ.
Featured image via Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports