The departure of Aaron Rodgers this summer has forced the Green Bay Packers to embrace a new chapter in their franchise history books. With the four-time NFL MVP out of the picture, it’s now time for Jordan Love to show the organization and the city what he can do as the squad’s new cornerstone quarterback.
It wasn’t just Rodgers who left, though. Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling both left for greener pastures as well, leaving the offense with a handful of gaping holes to fill. To a certain extent, the same can be said of Green Bay’s defense too, with the youth movement within the squad now in full swing.
NFL Rumors: Packers Linked to Ex-Commanders DT Matthew Ioannidis
For one, defensive tackle Kenny Clark will be relied upon heavily by Green Bay this season. With Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed both moving on in the offseason as well, Clark will be backed up by Devonte Wyatt and T.J. Slaton.
As pointed out by Alex Ballantine of Bleacher Report, rookies Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden could be expected to play significant roles in Green Bay’s defense as well. Both players are untested, to say the least, which is why signing a veteran off of free agency could be an option for the Packers:
“Wooden and Brooks may be able to grow into those roles, but it would be nice to have a veteran like Matthew Ioannidis. The 29-year-old remains unsigned despite starting 13 games for the Carolina Panthers last season.
“He is a solid run defender and offers a little bit of pass rush with 25.5 career sacks in seven seasons,” Ballentine wrote.
There’s no denying that Ioannidis is no spring chicken, and he won’t be a long-term solution for Green Bay. Injuries have also been an issue for the former Washington Commanders tackle, but if he’s able to stay healthy this season, he could make an impact for Green Bay.
Apart from what he brings to the table on the field, Ioannidis could also be a veteran presence in the locker room. He can aid in the development of the team’s younger players as Green Bay looks to have veteran voices in the mix amid their youth revolution.
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