The 'ifs' that will determine Packers' 2023 season

The Packers' 2023 season will come down to more than just Jordan Love's performance.

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The 2023 regular season has finally, mercifully arrived, and the Green Bay Packers have begun preparations for their Week 1 tilt with the division-rival Chicago Bears in earnest. In five days, the two teams will take the field and send much of the offseason discourse deep into the rearview mirror.

That means that many of the "ifs" asked about the Packers over the preceding nine months will soon have a resolution. Depending on how the team answers them will go a long way toward determining how their 2023 unfolds.

If Adam Stenavich has grown into the OC role …

… then the Packers should have a few more wrinkles in the passing game this season. Stenavich had a few shining moments during his first year as an NFL offensive coordinator, famously pushing head coach and offensive play-caller Matt LaFleur to dial up the Christian Watson jet sweep against the Bears that effectively ended the contest.

(via @packers)

But like that play, most of the input Stenavich appeared to have on the offense came within the run game, not surprising given his background as an offensive-line coach. For Stenavich to take the next step in his coaching career, he needs to have a comparable influence on the passing game. That type of input helped Stenavich's predecessor Nathaniel Hackett land the Denver Broncos' head-coaching position and similarly made Luke Getsy an attractive OC option for the Bears. Stenavich could make a similar upward move with a strong 2023 campaign.

Conversely, if Stenavich hasn't grown as a coach since last season, the burden will mostly fall on LaFleur and passing-game coordinator Jason Vrable. While LaFleur has demonstrated the ability to adapt the offense for his personnel and circumstances, Vrable has considerably less experience at this stage of his career. Even if he proves to be up for the challenge, his opportunity to influence the offensive direction will pale in comparison to those above him on the coaching masthead.

If Christian Watson emerges as a true No. 1 receiver …