We’ve touched on the concept of identity in a few recent podcasts. What is the Packers’ offensive identity? Who are they on defense? Who do they even want to be?

I don’t think we have clear answers to any of those questions (though things might be more straightforward on defense), and to me, that’s probably the most frustrating about the 2023 season. Because though identity is important, who you are when nothing is going right is even more crucial.

It’s clear that the Packers didn’t have high expectations for themselves this year, and really, nobody should have. I predicted they’d make the playoffs, but that’s far from high expectations in a weak NFC; sneaking in as a nine-win seventh seed is hardly a high bar.

But even adjusting for those low expectations, the season has been disappointing. Your disappointment may vary, but I think it’s fair to say it’s been a disappointment. But it’s been so in large part because nothing has gone smoothly, even in the situations where the expectations had to be at rock bottom. The offensive line has been unhealthy much of the season and bad even when they’re physically right. The Packers’ young skill position players have looked about as green as you can imagine, and their old skill position players have either been hurt or ineffective. Jordan Love hasn’t gotten much help but hasn’t been great even in the areas that are completely under his control. The defense suffers from many of the same issues and is still run by Joe Barry.

In light of all those things, who are the Packers? Where do they turn? What do they look at and say “at least we can do this” and build from there?

These are not rhetorical questions. I really don’t know and would like to have answers. We’re unlikely to find them any time soon, though, and unless Matt LaFleur manages to uncover something unexpected, we’ll probably leave this season with more questions than we entered it.

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