Packers fans hoping for a lengthy playoff run were disappointed as Green Bay couldn’t find an answer to Colin Kaepernick and the Niners in the second round of the playoffs. For a second year in a row, the Packers were a popular Super Bowl pick amongst experts and simply failed to deliver. And like last season, fundamental flaws were hidden in sloppy, uninspiring victories during the regular season, just to be exposed in the postseason.
The Packers now face a long offseason, full of key personnel decisions. It’s entirely possible that Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley have all played their last down as Packers. If all three were to depart, Green Bay would be uncharacteristically thin at wide receiver. However, most would argue that it’s the defense that needs attention in the offseason.
Will Ted Thompson pull the trigger on failing defensive coordinator Dom Capers? With injuries sidelining key contributors in 2012, Capers skirts some of the blame on defense. However, there is no denying that the unit as a whole isn’t playing up to its talent level – even with the ailing play of Tramon Williams and B.J. Raji. In all likelihood, Capers will stick around for next season but will be on the hot seat.
Thompson and his staff know full well that the expectations in Green Bay are high and that the team must go further in the postseason next year. To do that, the front office must address a number of needs, including safety, center and potentially wide receiver. With two weeks left in the playoffs, the organization will have lots of time to think through their approach.