This was not how 2022 was supposed to pan out for the Green Bay Packers.
Aaron Rodgers put his squabbles with the management that had deigned to work out an exit plan in the case of his retirement in the rear view and signed a three-year, $150 million extension rather than leaving Wisconsin. Impact free agents De’Vondre Campbell and Rasul Douglas re-signed with the team. 2022 first round picks Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt were set to team with an ascending Rashan Gary and push the defense to new heights.
Sure, the receiving corps was a massive question mark, but a depleted NFC left the opportunity for a fourth-straight 13-win season and a chance to break through to the franchise’s first Super Bowl in 12 years.