The Packers Offense Has to Adjust Due to a Banged Up Offensive Line
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers offense was unable to get on track last Sunday in Cleveland. With the offensive line banged up, the Pack scored just 10 points against a strong Browns defense. But with the offensive line’s injuries set to continue, it will be up to head coach Matt LaFleur to make adjustments to the play calling to give the offense a better chance to be successful.
Usually, the Packers offense revolves around the running of Josh Jacobs and the passing of Jordan Love. Love likes to take his deep shots when possible. If he can’t try to throw the ball down the field, he’ll check down to a shorter route. But even looking deep and then throwing a shorter pass requires time.
Last Sunday against Cleveland, the offensive line was in tatters. Zach Tom tried to play with his oblique injury and lasted all of one play before coming out of the game. Tom has been graded as the Packers best run blocking lineman and overall lineman in each of the past two seasons according to Pro Football Focus. Left guard Aaron Banks also tried to play through injuries but only managed to be in the lineup for 46 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
The result was a lot of juggling and placing inexperienced players like Anthony Belton into the lineup before he was ready. The Packers gained just 230 total yards all game. Neither the running game nor the passing game was able to establish much.
On the ground, Jacobs was held to just 30 yards on 16 carries. That’s an average of less than two yards per rush. The Packers longest gain of the day on the ground was 10 yards on a run by Love. In fact, statistics showed that Jacobs was often first hit behind the line of scrimmage and the only reason he gained as many yards as he did was due to his elusiveness and ability to gain yards after contact.
Love also lacked the time to throw the football downfield. He was sacked five times by the Browns and was pressured on nearly 42 percent of his attempts according to ESPN Research. The offense was unable to get any kind of rhythm going in the passing game. Between the failure to establish the run and the high number of penalties the Packers took in this game, the offense was often facing third-and-long situations which didn’t make protecting the quarterback any easier. The Browns knew the Packers had to pass and they could rush the quarterback accordingly.
The good news for the Packers is that even with Kenny Clark, the Dallas Cowboys front seven is not as formidable as the one they faced last week in Cleveland. The bad news is that the offensive line remains banged up. Both Banks and Tom were held out of practice Wednesday. Left tackle Rasheed Walker and Anthony Belton were limited participants due to their injuries.
As the Packer play caller, LaFleur is going to have to adjust his play calling due to the inconsistency of the offensive line. The running game may have to rely on more RPOs to keep the defense off-balance. LaFleur did try a jet sweep and a play out of the wildcat last week, but even that had limited success. He may need to devise more gadget plays to get the running game going.
As for the passing game, the Packers will have to rely more on short passes than the usual aim of throwing long. If Love doesn’t have time to survey the field, the results could be similar to what they were a week ago. Check downs to Tucker Kraft or running backs coming out of the backfield may have to be the initial strategy for the offense. If those are successful, that may help open things up downfield for a few long passes later in the game.
Obviously, this is less than ideal for the Green Bay offense. They have their identity and want to play to it. But just like defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley had to adjust on the fly last season when the front four couldn’t produce enough pressure on the quarterback, LaFleur will have to adjust his strategy to compensate for the struggles of his banged up offensive line.
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Comments (47)
Cheezehead72
September 25, 2025 at 09:47 am
All I will say is that if the OL does not look good on Sunday MLF must make changes over the bye.
Coldworld
September 25, 2025 at 10:55 am
Dallas has added Clowney this week, but they got zero pressures from the edge against the Bears. How much Clowney plays and how ready he is is unclear. Their best source of pressure is Kenny Clark so far (9 pressures, one sack). He’s not going to be fully healthy and may not suit up. If we can’t keep a clean pocket in this game even with Tom and Banks out, then questions should indeed be asked.
Moreover, so far Jacobs has a grand total of 3 yards run before contact. That can’t continue. It’s worse than the awful league basement performance last year. If Kenny is out or limited, that should change dramatically. If it doesn’t then questions absolutely must be asked based on that alone.
There is only so bad one can be in multiple facets before a change ceases to be overly risky and the stats quo threatens to undermine everything. Injuries are some excuse, but not after 4 games for a line that can’t do the basics in run or pass or get a guy who was promising at LT prepared to play RT or manage Morgan/Belton/Kinnard for at least adequate outcomes.
It’s interesting that the perennially bad Myers is actually playing fairly well despite being in a bad team under different coaching. PFF has him at a little over 67 thus far, nearly ten points over Jenkins who has always been a better player and a little less over Rhyan whom Morgan was supposed to be better than at least at RT. If Morgan’s confidence and technique has been scrambled, Belton and Kinnard should be good enough to get us through the loss if Banks and Tom against Dallas.
There is something wrong off field and the time is running out to address it for Stenavich/Butkus and thus LaFleur. Another Drayton till it kills us experience from LaFleur likely does for LaFleur at this point. It’s starting to feel inevitable, as if he can’t help himself and get ahead of the need to identify weakness upgrade.
This one goes to both the run game on which his O is predicated and to the deep passing game that is supposed to feed off it. There is no getting around this. We don’t win without much better play from starters and back ups. If that undoes us then I think LaFleur doesn’t see season 8 and rightly.
ricky
September 25, 2025 at 10:00 am
Tom and Banks both need to sit out this game and heal as much as possible so they can come back healthier and more effective after the bye. I'm actually very surprised that the team doctors allowed Tom, in particular, to suit up and try to play. Usually the training staff is much more conservative, holding guys out longer to give them time to fully heal. Rushing them back might be what the player wants, but the coaches and trainers have to override the desire to play.
The second thing is that the coaches need to have the backups ready to play, with the guy who has practiced at that position being the first option as a replacement. Putting Jordan at a position he'd never played before (right tackle) was not a great idea. But then again, when the line was reshuffled again during the game, the results were still poor.
TarynsEyes
September 25, 2025 at 10:12 am
The Det and Wash games did no favor for the OL as it covered up what was the main issue for discussion before the season's start. Its reality came to roost against Cleveland. The issues haven't been fixed, and they're still trying to find where to put whom as the main foundation. Do they have the right pieces, and depth, as a whole?
From the Jungle Room
September 25, 2025 at 10:28 am
I agree that sitting Toms and Banks this week, heading into the bye, is the right move. Both are essential to improving the effectiveness of our offensive line, and we’ll need them healthy for the long haul.
MLF acknowledged that moving Morgan around wasn’t ideal, and I fully agree—he should stay on the left side, preferably at LT, to build consistency. I was optimistic about Jenkins at center, but through three games, his performance hasn’t met expectations. Hopefully, the Dallas matchup gives him a chance to reset and regain confidence. He’s a key piece, and if he continues to struggle, I’m not sure we have a viable alternative.
Bottom line: the Browns defense is likely the toughest we’ll face all season, and they’ve lived up to that reputation. Our offensive line needs a bounce-back game, and Dallas presents the perfect opportunity. A strong showing heading into the bye could restore much-needed confidence—for the team and for us as fans.
stockholder
September 25, 2025 at 10:31 am
It's Time-
Lt - Rasheed Walker
LG- Elgton Jenkins
C - Sean Rhyan
Rg- Jordan Morgan
RT - Darrien Kinnard
Snap the ball
September 25, 2025 at 11:08 am
Your correct
Snap the ball
September 25, 2025 at 11:09 am
Maybe Belton for Morgan
PatrickGB
September 25, 2025 at 01:16 pm
Morgan is a tackle. Jenkins has not worked out as center. Rhyan is ok. Walker had a rough game. I don’t have a clue about Kinnard. Other than that, I agree.
tommynak
September 26, 2025 at 07:11 pm
Spot on, Rhyan should have been the plan going into season as C and we already had a reliable LG in Jenkins. If they didn't want to extend Jenkins as they have not yet we could have addressed LG next offseason. Hopefully Banks can get healthy because he has been injured since Day 1 of camp basically, looks like a bit of a reach that Gute didn't need to make at this time given all of internal contract decisions that are going to be addressed in near future.
splitpea1
September 25, 2025 at 10:33 am
"...the results could be similar to what they were a week ago."
If this is the case, we have an extreme problem. Dallas has four sacks all year. They gave up 37 (!) points to the Giants at home. They are at or near the bottom in most pass defense statistical categories.
Gadget plays from LaFleur? That would be great, but if he didn't try them last week when we could have used a couple...
All we need is for MLF to plug the right people in the right places on the OL this time, and it should be good enough to get by this team--provided the defense turns in its usual strong performance. Make Dallas earn every offensive yard, as they have a great long-distance kicker.
Please don't give Jerry a reason to celebrate--this is his Super Bowl, and all we want to see is a sour face in the booth and the boo birds out in abundance.
Leatherhead
September 25, 2025 at 10:41 am
Nothing good happens on offense unless people get blocked. I agree with sitting Banks and Tom and letting the bye week help get them ready.
After an offseason where they moved Jenkins to Center and brought in Banks to play guard, they aren't going to change that around after one loss. We're not moving Jenkins.
Walker, Morgan, Jenkins, Rhyan, Kinnard/Belton for this week?
............................................................................................
I kind of had to chuckle at the proposed strategy of dumping it off to Kraft and Jacobs. We had 25 pass attempts last week, and 9 of them were to Jacobs. Add in the 4 to Kraft, and that's 13 out of 25. Half. How much more should we lean on them?
HawkPacker
September 25, 2025 at 01:09 pm
I believe you mean Walker and not Watson?
Leatherhead
September 25, 2025 at 03:36 pm
Yes. You caught me. I started drinking earlier than usual today.
Bearmeat
September 25, 2025 at 10:56 am
The plan was clearly to get bigger with Banks and Jenkins replacing Myers. Morgan as 6th man and Belton as a developmental piece. Due to injuries, that plan has never been seen. Banks has not been good when he’s been (rarely) healthy. Jenkins doesn’t even look interested in playing OC at all. Morgan has been used at literally 4 spots on the OL and hasn’t been given the time to excel at any of them.
Enough with the cross training stuff, Butkus.
Cheezehead72
September 25, 2025 at 11:14 am
After reading your comment I looked at Butkus' resume. The longest he was coaching any one team is 3 years in a row. He was a coach at u of Illinois for 4 years but that was a one and then 3 year term. He has been with the Packers since 2019. Not sure what MLF sees in him. Oh he had a very short uninspiring career as a player.
GregC
September 25, 2025 at 11:48 am
The Packers offensive line play since 2019 has been quite good overall. Definitely in the top half of the league during that time, and often in the top ten. Currently they have a left tackle who was a 7th round draft pick and is an average to above average player at that position, and a right tackle who was a 4th round draft pick and is one of the better right tackles in the league.
I don't know if there is any significance to Butkus not staying with one team for very long before he joined the Packers. I think that is true of most assistant coaches, good or bad. His playing career means nothing. There seems to be no correlation, or maybe even a reverse correlation, between success on the field and success as a coach.
Coldworld
September 25, 2025 at 12:14 pm
The Packers pass pro was good until the early 2020s. After that it’s been adequate inside the tackles, while their competence in the run game, never great, has fallen off a cliff.
It was not good in 2023, was worse in 2024 despite us going to a between the tackles run led O and it’s been worse again this year. Not one player has visibly improved in the run game in that time either. No, we have not had a good offensive line in quite a while despite Tom and Walker as book ends.
GregC
September 25, 2025 at 01:53 pm
I looked up some O-line rankings, and I saw that PFF ranked the Packers O-line 3rd overall in 2022. I couldn't find PFF's rankings for 2023, but I saw another ranking that had them at 3rd again that year. A site called NFL Analysis had them 6th in 2024. That's about what I thought they were. Maybe there are some other rankings that I'm not aware of. It was harder than I thought it would be to find this stuff.
Leatherhead
September 25, 2025 at 03:39 pm
Leatherhead Football Focus (LFF) thinks the Packers have had an above average offensive line ever since LaFleur arrived.
NFLfan
September 25, 2025 at 11:11 am
OL does not have enough depth-Jenkins is not playing Center well, he had contract issues which may be interfering with his motivation and Center is too important a position with a defined skill-set to plug anyone into. Paying the oft-injured Banks 77M is looking questionable-he is not looking reliable/available currently.
I think drafting high for a legit college center would have been smarter than WR. Tippman (Jets) did amazingly well his first year.
Cheezehead72
September 25, 2025 at 11:20 am
Gute could have signed Dalman this off season to play center. The Bears signed him for 3 yr 42 mil. That is a lot cheaper than Banks. If they signed Dalman, who is having a very good start they could have left Jenkins at guard and not signed Banks.
10thArmored
September 25, 2025 at 02:13 pm
Yep, it drove me crazy they wouldn't sign Dalman and it also drove me crazy they drafted Morgan over Graham Barton of Duke
Packerlifer
September 25, 2025 at 11:23 am
Like the Bears have paid the price for passing on Mahomes for Trubisky at qb a few years ago the Packers are paying for the Josh Myers instead of Creed Humphrey decision at center.
Racingdad
September 25, 2025 at 12:38 pm
The choice of meyers was related to ar-12 as he stated he did not want a left handed center . So move on . Aron banks contract is easy enough to move on from after this season if he does not show marked improvement . I know this does not help right now so they must keep playing belton/ kenard at rt . Jordon Morgan should only play LG or LT or RG in a pinch ( move Ryan to center if Jenkins can’t get it together) Morgan most likely is LT next year as Sheed will cost to much . belton if he shows improve ment could stay at RT moving Tom to center to anchor the whole line ? Just random thoughts keep Ryan next year if cost is reasonable? Not sure on banks staying ? Maybe draft an olineman ( center guard or tackle in second rd if right guy is there? And for sure replace Butkus !!!
PackerBackerAZ
September 25, 2025 at 05:46 pm
You're either purposely attributing Rodgers stating he didn't want a left handed center, knowing it's false, or saying it because you mistakenly believe it to be true. Rodgers never said it.
The Aaron Banks contract can't be moved on after this season without very real cap ramifications.
I hate to say this, but, Morgan hasn't been worth playing at any position except part time at RG. I'm tired of rotating linemen and just want the better option to start and play the whole game. If the coaches can't decide which player is best, I have a coin I'll lend them. Has Rhyan ever played center, anywhere? Leave him at RG.
I said there could be problems with Jenkins moving to center. He played center in college, but precious little in the pros. His latest time at center, last season, was totally uninspiring and that should have been a worry to the coaching staff.
Walker has been a decent left tackle and shouldn't cost too much. Because Jenkins is overpaid at center or LG, and Tom has a huge salary and might not be worth it, and Banks was signed to that ridiculous contract, the Packers might not be able to sign him.
You want to move Tom to center? Why? Because some fool said he could be an ok RT or a Pro Bowl RG or a HoF center? Please stop.
They need to figure out what to do about Banks this season and next. Move Jenkins back to LG and draft a legitimate center If Monk or L. Smith prove unworthy. Groom Morgan to replace Walker and let him practice solely at LT (only if he shows capable of playing the position). Hopefully, re-sign Rhyan at a decent price. Let Belton be the revolving lineman.
dblbogey
September 25, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Jenkins is paid $17 million per year. He's made millions and millions over his career. If it takes more money to motivate him, he should just retire.
WD
September 25, 2025 at 11:21 am
I agree Matt LaFleur needs to make adjustments. Look at Detroit against the Ravens. The way they used their two Tight Ends to open up holes in the line for their two great RB's. Also look at the number of creative trick plays that always seem to work for Detroit. The Lions are using two new guards in the O-line. They seem to learn quickly. They also didn't have the massive number of penalties of the Packer line. We were lucky to beat Detroit in the first game but they will be ready for us. They will try to humiliate us on Thanksgiving. Finally, OT Morgan had FOUR penalties himself. This is unacceptable especially from a first round draft pick. I am beginning to fear that Morgan will be a bust. Sad.
Packerlifer
September 25, 2025 at 11:26 am
Beating the Lions in the opener was a legit win not luck. Let's not let our frustration with the Browns game lead us into overreactions about the rest of the season or long term career prospects of certain players.
NFLfan
September 25, 2025 at 11:26 am
Agree-the Lions will absolutely unleash on us.
Coldworld
September 25, 2025 at 11:42 am
The Lions need Goff to have clean pockets. If they have that they will be very good. We took that away. Their next two opponents did not. So I don’t read too much into either our very different struggles versus the Browns or Detroit’s recent victories.
TarynsEyes
September 25, 2025 at 02:00 pm
I think the Lions gave away more than GB took. I don't see GB doing what Det did to Chi or BAL Offensively, nor do I see GB Defense shutting down either Offense to try and win a low scoring game.
Coldworld
September 25, 2025 at 02:32 pm
Apples to oranges. Just because we can get to Goff doesn’t mean our offense can match what the Lions do if a team doesn’t get to him. Clearly our offense has not so far shown a similar ability. Outside of one and a half quarters it’s been no better than OK and flat out impotent for long periods, including half of the Lions game.
TarynsEyes
September 25, 2025 at 02:45 pm
Apples to Oranges is more the norm for statistical comparison to sway what is and was. Actual matchups are an apple to apple comparison, but it's rare that the matchups offer the consistency to decide who does what to whom, player or team wise, in any semblance of domination. Injuries, missing players, coaching quality, QB creates the divide between what is, was, and will be in each meeting. It's foolish to think GB will again do to Det what happened in week 1.
Coldworld
September 25, 2025 at 03:18 pm
It’s not guaranteed, but you seem to be saying we won’t be able to get to Goff. I don’t see that as inevitable by any means.
TarynsEyes
September 25, 2025 at 03:40 pm
They won't get to Goff, if the double-headed run monster is working, and why expecting a week 1 repeat is foolish.
LambeauPlain
September 25, 2025 at 11:34 am
Regarding the Offense: "They have their identity and want to play to it."
Please share that identity with me, Gil. Then I will know it too.
I know what that identity was being forged last season...a dominant run team that could get first downs on the ground with talent at the skill positions to attack downfield with steady production when receivers caught the ball.
When Love has time, the downfield attack still looks potent...but the run game is stuck in neutral, due to very poor run fits at the snap and 2nd level blocking.
Packers0808
September 25, 2025 at 02:46 pm
Remember the other day when you questioned my knowledge of the scrap pile to bring in a center for the game. Well guess what you trying to make me look like a fool backfired didn't they. They brought back Smith who was on the "scrap pile" and now Belton might not even be able to play! Be careful of what you say when somebody who has a football background of 23 years coaching might know something.m Also like I said last year maybe Myers isn't all that bad now when you move best guard you had to a new position. I distinctly remember saying last year that switch could be big mistake.
Leatherhead
September 25, 2025 at 03:46 pm
Give up on Belton after one loss?
As one former coach to another, Myers was not that bad. That's a moot point now.
Jenkins will be fine at Center. He had a couple of bad plays last week. This is a move that was many months in the making, it was considered by people a lot smarter than me. Jenkins is not going to be moved back to guard so that we can play Rhyan at Center, Morgan at RG, and bench Belton. It's not going to happen. We'll stay the course until we can't.....Walker, Banks, Jenkins, Rhyan, Tom. Injuries will put Morgan, Belton, and Kinnard on the field.....that's been the plan since at least March and probably longer than that.
Packers0808
September 25, 2025 at 05:45 pm
No not give up on Belton, he is hurt!
Green Bay Shareholder
September 25, 2025 at 11:36 am
Short passing game / Short Passing Game / Short Passing Game - You have excellent TEs who literally seem to always be open, screen plays, crossing routes - c'mon ! The objective is to get 10 yards - not win the game with Hero Balls, long developing or trick plays. Let your athletes do what you pay them for - YAC. Plus eliminate the Brain Fart penalties that have been happening for 5 years.
HawkPacker
September 25, 2025 at 01:14 pm
Good point on the short passing plays. However, even a missed long pass helps open up for the short passing game.
Coldworld
September 25, 2025 at 01:21 pm
This is something we saw a lot of in Rodgers last season and the first half of Love’s first as starter. Teams just clogging the first ten yards and, as a corollary, putting more pressure on the OL and the run game because they could. LaFleur had no answer then and does not appear to have one now.
10thArmored
September 25, 2025 at 01:59 pm
Not me wondering if our oline coaches are grossly mismanaging the resources they have..........
CanPackFan
September 25, 2025 at 06:47 pm
Now we're going to find out if LaFleur is really the Offensive genius he's made out to be? Can he adapt to a weak and inexperienced Oline and have success? I hope so but he's been resistant to dramatic change throughout his tenure at GB.
Ferrari-Driver
September 25, 2025 at 11:10 pm
A certain amount of pain and of course injuries are a part of sports. I've had rotator cuff surgeries on both shoulders, but the most pain I ever experienced is when I tore an oblique muscle while pitching a baseball game. That hurt so bad that teammates helped me over to the dugout and I couldn't even sit down. This happened midseason and I was unable to pitch another game for the remainder of the year. For Zack Tom to try to play a game of football after that oblique injury seems impossible to me.
When doctors would ask me the pain level for an injury compared to the worst pain I ever experience...The oblique tear is the 10 and when they asked about the pain level for either of the two rotator cuff injuries I would answer a 3 which I believe is realistic.
I admire Zack Tom for trying to play and can fully understand why he was unable to do so.
MooPack
September 25, 2025 at 11:12 pm
I predicted before the season started that OL will be the Achilles heel for the offense. PFF and other metrics can lie, but the eyes usually don't. Against better defensive teams the OL has been mediocre during LaFleur's tenure and it's during the playoffs when they've been exposed as subpar. Coaching, discipline, scheme, and draft. All have played a part. Anyone can point to exceptions to each, but as a whole it has failed at the most critical junctions of the most important games. Trenches win games more often than not. It looks like the defensive side has, at this point, solved some glaring issues. The offensive side is clearly on Lafleur, who has spoken about the importance of OL, which by my recollection is not much. His scheme was the end all be all. Nothing changes unless this changes.