Packers offense already showing off its versatility in 2023

The Green Bay Packers have been elaborating on the advantages that come with the versatility of the their offense for a while, now.  "We have running backs that catch the ball out of the backfield [and] run routes. We added a couple of really fast tight ends, so just being able to stretch the field […]

Evan Winter NFL Managing Editor
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The Green Bay Packers have been elaborating on the advantages that come with the versatility of the their offense for a while, now. 

"We have running backs that catch the ball out of the backfield [and] run routes. We added a couple of really fast tight ends, so just being able to stretch the field with them. And then obviously, we have some really fast receivers, too. So it stresses the defense [and] makes them focus on everybody," Jordan Love told reporters back in June. "At the same time, I don't think we have that one player that right now is like, 'Oh, this is who we have to throw the ball to on maybe third down.' And things like that.

"So, you know, the defense might not really know who to focus on on third downs, things like that. I think that all ties in and it will help us out."

The Chicago Bears found out firsthand what the offense is capable of in Week 1. Per Sports Info Solutions, the Packers ran four different personnel groupings in that game -11, 12, 13, and 21 personnel- and ranked either at the midpoint or in the upper-half of the NFL's usage rate. That's not very common and there were even a handful of teams, like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills, that utilized just two personnel groupings in their respective matchups.

Just put it this way when it comes to the creativity and versatility of the Packers offense: They passed more out of 21 personnel, which is two running backs, a tight end, and one receiver, than they ran the ball out of that grouping, in Week 1.

Now, the Packers Offensive Experience will make its way down to Atlanta in hopes of moving to 2-0 on the season. 

And it's safe to expect another week of the same offensive philosophy – especially against a Falcons defense, itself, that will throw a bunch of different stuff at the Packers offense.

"I would expect it all season to be honest with you," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Wednesday when asked if he's going to change players out on a frequent basis like he did against the Bears.

"Just in terms of we've got although it may look like the same personnel grouping to a defense, we might call it something a little bit different in terms of who we're putting in the game for maybe specific jobs or try not to overload you know, certain individuals so they feel good about what the plan is and what they're being asked to do. But that can change on a weekly basis."

It's only one game, but so far, it's working. The Packers are currently second in points scored (important to remember six of those points came off Quay Walker's pick-six), they’re averaging 5.5 yards per play, which is tied for fifth-best, and, they hold the seventh-highest scoring percentage. Jordan Love is also tied with Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones (wut?) for the league lead in passing touchdowns, with three.

"You can pretty much run any play out of any personnel," Packers running back Aaron Jones told reporters back in May. "So we've been working on that, running out of four different personnel as the same play. And so, you know, one play I might be in the backfield, one play I might be somewhere else.

"We're just working on that and it is a little, a little new, but I think it finds mismatches and different ways to get people the ball." 

LaFleur's philosophy is honestly how NFL offenses should be ran. There's no reason to make things overly-complicated with a dense playbook when you can make certain tweaks here and there inside the same personnel groupings and formations. In fact, Atlanta Falcons head coach, Arthur Smith, only worked with LaFleur for one year, but he derives a lot of his offensive philosophy from that time. And, his MO is to make things as simple as possible for the offense, but as complicated as hell for the opposing defense.

Week 1 reflected that, as well. Per SIS, the Falcons deployed five different personnel groupings (11, 12, 13, 21 and 22 personnel) and ranked 11th or higher in usage percentage in all areas except 11 personnel, which was used at the lowest rate in the NFL, last week. That's pretty wild to think about in today's game, but, that's just an example the creativity and singularity of Smith's offense. 

It's fun to watch this Packers offense and the entertainment value should only increase as the chemistry and cohesiveness develop. Who knows what will start coming out of Lambeau once that happens.

Featured image via Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports