GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers open the 2022 regular season against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 11 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Packers return much of the same group that went 13-4 last season before losing in the NFC divisional playoff round to the San Francisco 49ers but with one notable exception: All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.
One player likely won't be able to replicate Adams' production, and there's not a clear-cut No. 1 wideout on the roster. However, opportunities will be aplenty. As veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb said, "There's 150 more targets that are going to be spread around now." Which wideouts show playmaking potential in training camp and preseason action will determine how many of them general manager Brian Gutekunst keeps on the 53-man roster.
QUARTERBACK (2): Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love
This is a critical year for Love. He needs a strong preseason and must play better in regular-season opportunities than he did last year for the Packers to either become convinced he can eventually take over for Rodgers or to convince another team to trade for him next offseason.
RUNNING BACK (3): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor
This assumes Kylin Hill will start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list because of last year's ACL tear. Taylor has been around the team the past two years mostly as a practice squad player and looks ready to make a jump.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Amari Rodgers, Sammy Watkins, Samori Toure
There might not be a clear-cut No. 1, but there are plenty of options. While there are questions about whether the rookies can make an immediate impact and whether Watkins has anything left, Amari Rodgers has been mostly overlooked. The slot receiver did next to nothing as a rookie last year, and he has plenty to prove.
TIGHT END (3): Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis
This assumes Robert Tonyan (ACL) starts out on PUP. The Packers think they might have found something in Davis, who flashed late last season.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Jake Hanson, Cole Van Lanen
This assumes Elgton Jenkins (ACL) starts out on PUP and that Bakhtiari is ready to go for the opener. When Jenkins comes back and if everyone else stays healthy, this could be one of the best lines in the league.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, Devonte Wyatt, T.J. Slaton
The Packers added two key players in the veteran Reed via free agency and first-round pick Wyatt to take some of the pressure off Clark.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (5): De'Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Krys Barnes, Ray Wilborn, Ty Summers
Walker will be an immediate starter as a rookie and will allow the Packers to play more two-inside-backer sets. Wilborn has risen up the depth chart. It probably comes down to Summers or Isaiah McDuffie for the last spot, and special teams will decide it.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Randy Ramsey, LaDarius Hamilton
They might be looking for upgrades behind Gary, Smith and the rookie Enagbare. Ramsey missed all of last year because of an ankle injury, but he has some potential.
CORNERBACK (6): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kabion Ento
The Packers think their top three are as good as anyone's. It looks like Douglas will get the first chance at playing in the slot, with Alexander and Stokes on the outside. Nixon was brought in to help on special teams.
SAFETY (5): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Tariq Carpenter, Shawn Davis, Vernon Scott
Amos and Savage return for the fourth year starting together, while Carpenter (seventh round) and Davis (free agent) are new to the group.
SPECIALIST (3): K Mason Crosby, P Pat O'Donnell, LS Steven Wirtel
The Packers have two long-snappers on the roster: the incumbent Wirtel and rookie Jack Coco. Both are wildly inconsistent and neither one is safe. It wouldn't be a surprise if their opening-day snapper isn't currently on the roster, but for now, Wirtel has the edge.