Green Bay Packers Linebackers: 2023 Outlook
It's August, and just like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, I find myself lost in the seemingly endless cornfields of the NFL's upcoming season, and specifically, the Green Bay Packers' linebacker unit. If Costner had whispers of "If you build it, they will come," the Packers' echo might be "If you draft them and pay them, they better freaking perform."
Let's start with a flashback to the early 2010s. Remember when we couldn’t name a relevant Packers linebacker not named Clay Matthews? It's like asking someone in 2020 to name a non-MCU Chris Pratt movie. It’s possible, just unlikely. But the wheel has turned, the tide has shifted, and much like the way TV reboots like Saved by the Bell are back in vogue, so is the Packers' emphasis on linebackers.
I’m reminded of the old '80s Celtics, led by Bird, McHale, and Parish. They had the firepower, the dynamic trio that dominated, but they still needed their sixth man, their Bill Walton, to seal the deal. Similarly, while the Packers have an offensive trio that can light up scoreboards, they need their linebackers, the true sixth men of the defense, to stand tall.
Starters: De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker
Campbell's 2021 was like Scorsese’s Goodfellas - an absolute masterclass. But, 2022? More like Hugo. Not bad, just... not as explosive. Still, Scorsese bounced back, and so can Campbell. If 2021 Campbell was Scorsese's prime, 2022 Campbell felt like Spielberg in his Crystal Skull phase - not at his best but we know the talent is there. He’s shown it. It's like having a Golden State Warriors Steph Curry; when he’s on, it’s magical. You know that, even during an off night, he’s bound to light up the court again.
Then there's Quay Walker. Ah, the energetic, promising rookie year. To put it in sitcom terms, Walker was Joey from Friends in season one—full of potential, but making plenty of rookie mistakes. That shoving incident? It's like the time Joey got a role as Al Pacino's butt double. An opportunity squandered by lack of discipline. But Joey grew, matured, and even got his spin-off (which we won’t discuss). Similarly, Walker can (and should) mature from his rookie season follies.
Backups: Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Tariq Carpenter
Here’s where the narrative shifts to a kind of Rocky story. McDuffie is our Rocky Balboa - not the biggest guy but has the spirit. You can picture him running up the steps of the Philly Museum of Art, just replace Philly with Lambeau Field. The guy's heart is unmatched, and in the brutal winters of Green Bay, that heart might just be what keeps the team warm.
Eric Wilson? He’s the Jason Statham of the unit. Not the youngest, but with a certain level of grit, speed, and intensity that makes him a solid backup. He’s that reliable action star you bring in when things go south.
And Tariq Carpenter? The guy's a Swiss Army knife. A defensive back turned linebacker? It's like finding out that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson can also sing. It's unexpected but welcome. His story for 2023 may just be the subplot everyone will be talking about by season's end.
To sum it up, the Packers linebackers are like a Ben & Jerry's flavor mix. Some chunks you know and love, some swirls might surprise you, and some base flavors need to step up. 2023 feels like a 'Chunky Monkey' year, with a promise of sweet bananas but with a nutty undertone of unpredictability.
Here’s to hoping that when January rolls around, this Packers linebacking core will have made the leap from "promising ensemble" to "award-winning cast." Because let’s face it, in the cold tundras of Lambeau, it's about time for this defense to heat up.
