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3 Hidden Traps That Could Derail the Packers' 2020 Season

By Joe Birdsall

The Green Bay Packers hope to repeat Matt LaFleur's rookie year success in 2020, but must be sure to avoid these potential pitfalls.
The Green Bay Packers hope to repeat Matt LaFleur's rookie year success in 2020, but must be sure to avoid these potential pitfalls. / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers impressed many in their first year under head coach Matt LaFleur, winning 13 games and reaching the NFC Championship Game. Expensive free agents Za'Darius Smith, Adrian Amos and Preston Smith led a resurgent defensive unit, and Aaron Jones had a breakout year. However, if the team hopes to repeat its 2019 success, it must avoid a few pitfalls that could cause disaster in 2020.

3. Impending Free Agents

David Bakhtiari has been an elite protector for Aaron Rodgers, but his upcoming payday could leave Green Bay's other free agents out to dry.
David Bakhtiari has been an elite protector for Aaron Rodgers, but his upcoming payday could leave Green Bay's other free agents out to dry. / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The Packers have a number of important players hitting the free agent market after the 2020 season, including David Bakhtiari, Kenny Clark, Kevin King, Aaron Jones, and Corey Linsley. With a sensitive salary cap situation, the team will likely have to choose two of the five (likely Bakhtiari and Clark), and harsh negotiations could leave Jones, King, Linsley, and others feeling alienated. The last thing anyone wants is for uncertain futures to have a negative impact on the on-field product.

2. Unproven Receiving Corps

Green Bay will rely heavily on Allen Lazard in 2020, especially if Davante Adams misses time again.
Green Bay will rely heavily on Allen Lazard in 2020, especially if Davante Adams misses time again. / Harry How/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers performed suprisingly well during star wideout Davante Adams's four-game absence in 2019, going 4-0 and relying heavily on Aaron Jones. However, the offense seemed anemic late in the season, and the front office's failures to add a wide receiver in the NFL Draft will force Aaron Rodgers to trust unproven players like Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jace Sternberger.

1. Tough Early Schedule

The Packers struggled mightily against San Francisco last season, and another meeting in 2020 could get ugly.
The Packers struggled mightily against San Francisco last season, and another meeting in 2020 could get ugly. / Michael Zagaris/Getty Images

Green Bay faces a brutal first eight weeks in 2020, with two games against the divisional rival Minnesota Vikings as well as road dates with the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers. While the schedule gets much easier from there, Green Bay will need to prove early on that it can compete with the NFC's heavyweights, or risk falling far behind in the playoff race.