Green Bay Packers: Good QB Fortune Has Masked Poor Management

The Green Bay Packers have been held aloft as one of the premier franchises in the NFL. That’s what happens when you do a lot of winning.

However, it’s fair to ask this question. Is the respect for Packers management a little too high? It seems like every year their GM is mentioned among the best in the NFL and their front office personnel are lined up for top jobs with other teams. Maybe 10 years ago that was true, but it doesn’t feel like they’ve earned that right anymore. This because of their legitimate failure to maximize something few franchises ever experience.

That’s the benefit of employing back-to-back Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Brett Favre was a three-time MVP and ironman for almost two decades in Green Bay, setting every record in the book. Now they have Aaron Rodgers, one of the most accurate and deadly passers in history and all they have to show for it are two Super Bowl titles. Adam Rank of NFL.com agrees that this “success” should be viewed more like a failure in context.

"“Two Lombardi Trophies in 26 years sounds like a deal Browns fans would absolutely sign up for, but it seems a little weak for a franchise that has boasted a pair of transcendent quarterbacks during that span. It’s funny to hear people talk about how great the Packers management has been over the last few decades. But you’re only good because of your quarterbacks. Don’t believe me? Look at last year without Rodgers. The Packers need to get serious about this, or you’re going to be super bummed watching Rodgers end his career with the Lions or something.”"

Packers draft success isn’t as impressive as it seems looking back

More from NFL Mocks

Take a second and look back. The Packers traded for Brett Favre in 1992. Since then, how many great players have they drafted? That’s to say players who will end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. People will be shocked when they find out the only one who comes close is linebacker Clay Matthews. Otherwise, its been a constant string of good to very good players but not a lot of great ones. This helps explain the lack of championship success.

Conversely, look at the San Francisco 49ers. They had Joe Montan and then Steve Young from 1979 to 1998. During that span, they drafted players like Ronnie Lott, Charles Haley, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, and Terrell Owens. Players who already are or one day should be in the Hall of Fame. That’s the difference between winning five Super Bowl titles in 19 years and winning two in 26 )and counting). At what point will people stop fooling themselves into thinking the Packers have done a great job handling this remarkable good fortune?

Maybe Rank’s right. Maybe if and when Rodgers leaves and the organization is exposed for the first time in three decades to the unforgiving life of not having a Hall of Fame QB under center. One thing is certain. Other teams will not have any pity for them.

Home/NFL Hot Takes