The Green Bay Packers secured their fourth straight NFC North title during the 2014 season, but once again fell short of the NFL's ultimate prize, losing to the Seahawks in an NFC championship game that they appeared to have won before a furious Seattle comeback.
It's hard to find much fault with a team that finished 12-4 -- especially one that possesses one of the game's top-flight quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and was a recovered onsides kick from making the Super Bowl -- but there are some legitimate concerns as the club looks ahead to 2015 and beyond.
Here are their top priorities for this offseason:
1. Make a decision on Randall Cobb.
Having already re-signed Jordy Nelson, the Packers next must decide whether to spend big money for a second receiver. Cobb's versatility makes him a special player for a team with a quarterback who knows how to maximize his weaponry. On the other hand, Green Bay has shown a great ability over the years in acquiring and developing the next highly productive receiver. Any fretting over Greg Jennings' departure last offseason was short-lived. The franchise could decide that they'd be better off investing at other positions rather than paying big for a second receiver -- especially given the emergence of rookie Davante Adams.
2. Try to keep the O-line together
The Packers' offensive line became a formidable unit, and Bryan Bulaga was a big part of that at right tackle, especially during the second half of the season. Tackles can be expensive, however, and Bulaga does have a significant injury history. He has played in 52 regular-season games and missed 28 others, including the entire 2013 season. That history will surely influence how much the Packers want to pay. Building in injury protections could be key for Green Bay -- or any team signing Bulaga to a lucrative deal.
3. Decide how Julius Peppers fits in their future plans
The Packers valued the contributions Peppers made on the field, and as a leader. Will they value those things enough to keep him on the roster at great cost against their salary cap in 2015? Peppers' contract is scheduled to count $12 million against the cap if he is on the roster, and up to $5 million if he is not (the team could push $2.5 million of that into the 2016 cap by designating him as a post-June 1 termination). Peppers ranked fourth behind Justin Houston, Brandon Graham and Derrick Morgan in Pro Football Focus grading for 3-4 outside linebackers this season.
4. Will it be status quo on special teams?
The Packers had seven kicks blocked this season (three field-goal tries, two PAT tries and three punts). They finished 31st -- ahead of only Detroit -- in expected points added on special teams plays, according to ESPN Stats & Info. They ranked 29th in net punting average and 31st in kick-return average. The struggles raised questions about potential personnel and staff changes even before the NFC championship game -- and then came the blown recovered onsides kick and touchdown allowed on a fake field goal. Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum and assistant Ron Zook figure to be under additional scrutiny.
5. Keep Clay Matthews at ILB, or add an inside linebacker and move him back outside
Green Bay could consider finding another inside linebacker so that Matthews can go back to playing outside linebacker on a full-time basis. It is also possible the Packers could leave Matthews at inside linebacker in the base defense. His presence there stabilized the run defense, while costing him some outside rushing opportunities on early downs. Matthews finished with 11 sacks anyway, and played all 16 regular-season games for the first time since 2009, his rookie season. PFF had him 15th among 3-4 outside linebackers.