As the Green Bay Packers prepare for the NFL season, concerns are mounting over their offensive performance. Heading into the preseason, the Packers’ offense has struggled to find consistency, particularly in their passing game, which has faltered despite a strong running game during recent joint practices. This troubling pattern has emerged with just weeks remaining before the regular season opener on September 7.

During a joint practice against the Indianapolis Colts, the Packers showcased potential on the ground, with top running backs and most of the offensive line present. Jordan Morgan continued at left tackle, while Rasheed Walker was easing back from a groin injury. However, significant issues plagued the passing attack. Quarterback Jordan Love was absent, sidelined with a soft cast on his hand, and the team’s receiving corps was heavily depleted due to injuries. Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Savion Williams all remained out of practice, leaving Matt LaFleur’s offense without key targets and disrupting their rhythm.

With Love out, Malik Willis took over at quarterback but struggled with limited receiving options. Willis lined up alongside Cornelius Johnson and Julian Hicks, two younger receivers with minimal camp impact and likely headed for the practice squad, which was far from ideal for sustaining an effective passing game. Tight end Tucker Kraft openly addressed the situation, attributing much of the passing game struggles to the inexperience of the younger players.

Youth and Inexperience Highlighted as Major Obstacle in Passing Game

Tucker Kraft pointed to the youth on the offense as a clear factor in the lack of cohesion.

“Some of our youth showed a lot,”

he remarked following the joint practice. Kraft emphasized the importance of knowing their roles, moving quickly, and maintaining consistency—areas where the younger players faltered amid the increased pressure and injury-related absences.

He candidly admitted,

“We left some meat on the bone… we were competing, but we didn’t empty the tank,”

acknowledging that while effort was present, the team fell short of its expected performance level. Kraft also explained that hesitation by young receivers, often caused by uncertainty regarding the playbook, reduces the explosiveness of the offense and disrupts timing with the quarterback.

Such hesitation not only affects the receivers but also undermines the offensive line’s ability to engage defenders effectively, contributing to breakdowns in pass protection. During the practice, the Colts managed to sack the quarterback a couple of times, but the larger issue was the lack of connection downfield. Whether the fault lay with receivers failing to get open or throws missing their mark, the timing needed for a fluid passing attack was missing. Despite these obstacles, Kraft remained optimistic that the young players would improve as they gained more experience and reps in practice.

Despite these passing woes, Kraft found a bright spot in the team’s ground game, boasting,

“We ran the hell out of the ball!”

However, without their starting receivers and Jordan Love on the field, assessing the passing game’s potential remains challenging. As the Packers continue preparing for the season, they still have time before the opener at Detroit to build chemistry and overcome their depth issues.

Jordan Love Undergoes Thumb Surgery Ahead of Season

Compounding the Packers’ offensive worries is a significant development regarding quarterback Jordan Love. Love injured his left thumb—the non-throwing hand—during the preseason opener against the New York Jets, after hitting it on defensive tackle Jay Tufele’s helmet. Initially brushing off the injury, Love eventually sought medical attention as he noticed continued discomfort, leading to the diagnosis of a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that necessitated surgery.

This week, Love made the critical decision to have the surgery performed in Los Angeles, aiming to be fully healthy for the upcoming season.

“With the time frame we have, finishing camp and heading into the season 100% healthy was the call I wanted to make,”

Love told reporters. He noted that if this injury had occurred during the middle of the season, surgery might have been delayed, but having the offseason to rehabilitate allowed for a proactive approach.

Last season was physically challenging for Love, who missed multiple games due to injuries including an MCL sprain sustained during the season opener in Brazil and a later groin issue. Determined to avoid a similar situation in 2025, Love opted for surgery rather than playing through the injury.

Packers Adjust to Injury Setback as Preseason Continues

Although recovering from surgery, Love has continued to participate in practices with his thumb taped. To adapt, he has changed some routines, like handing off with his right hand instead of his left. Love plans to assess the thumb’s progress in the coming week, stating,

“We’ll just play it by ear. Once I get throwing and moving, we’ll see how it feels. But next week we should be starting.”

However, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has confirmed that Love has not yet resumed throwing post-surgery and will not do so immediately.

With Love’s passing limited, the Packers face a challenging stretch in the preseason with another joint practice against the Seattle Seahawks and a final preseason game still ahead. Malik Willis will likely retain playing time during the preseason finale versus the Colts, as LaFleur waits for his starters to recover and return to form.

These developments place pressure on the Packers’ coaching staff to restore offensive cohesion quickly. If the team begins the season without a full complement of healthy starters, particularly at quarterback and receiver, it could mean a difficult road ahead in their quest to reach the playoffs.

Implications for the Packers’ 2025 Campaign

The combined factors of youthful inexperience in the receiving corps and Jordan Love’s surgery introduce significant uncertainty into the Packers’ offensive prospects for the 2025 NFL season. The lack of established pass-catchers, compounded by Love’s recovery timeline, raises legitimate concerns about their ability to execute a balanced and effective offense early on.

For head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff, the challenge is twofold: accelerating the development of young receivers and ensuring Love regains full strength and confidence post-surgery before the season begins. The limited time remaining before Week 1 heightens the urgency to correct these issues, with the Lions standing as their first major test.

How the Packers navigate this period will be crucial. If the youth can step up quickly and Love returns without significant setback, the team can still bolster its playoff hopes. However, a slow start or lingering effects from injury could cripple their season, which has already begun under a cloud of tension and concern.