The Green Bay Packers won 11 games in the 2024 NFL season, despite going 1-5 in the NFC North. Now in 2025, the conversation may be shifting to favor the Packers to win the division. Colin Cowherd is on the fence about the team, noting one major concern.
Colin Cowherd has discussed the Green Bay Packers multiple times this week, both on his podcast on ‘The Volume’ and on his show ‘The Herd’. Green Bay’s roster is young, and they’re talented, but he’s not sure about their potential to reach the Super Bowl.
The Green Bay Packers contender debate in the NFC
The NFC North was wounded during the offseason, which may open a window of opportunity for Green Bay.
The Minnesota Vikings have a superb roster with a lot of elite talent, but they’re entering the season with a guy who is effectively a rookie quarterback with no backup plan. Kevin O’Connell is an elite coach, particularly with quarterbacks, but JJ McCarthy hasn’t thrown a football in the league yet, and they’re banking on him taking them to the Super Bowl.
The Detroit Lions flew into the playoffs last season but were quickly crippled by injuries late in the year, and now the fear is that they’ve missed their window. They lost eight assistant coaches during the offseason, including both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Not only that, but the Lions’ franchise center, Frank Ragnow, hung up his cleats a matter of weeks ago. They now have a tremendous hole to fill at a crucial position on the roster, which could heavily impact both Jared Goff and the pass game, as well as Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery running the ball.
Then there’s the Chicago Bears, who, on paper, look great heading into 2025. But we’ve got to see it from Caleb Williams to believe it. He’s been excused for the 2024 season, given the failures of the previous coaching staff and a lack of support for the rookie QB, but now in 2025, expectations are high.
Ben Johnson is an elite coordinator, but so is Josh McDaniels, and he’s proven to be a horrible head coach now on two separate occasions. Building chemistry with your guys is one thing, but running the operation, disciplining players, making key decisions, and ultimately holding all the power is a role that many fall short in trying to master.
So while the rest of the division is battling with various changes, the Packers seem to have the most consistency.
On ‘The Herd’ this week, popular ex-scout John Middlekauf tipped Green Bay to win the division, stating:
“I think the Packers are going to be a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn’t be stunned if they’re the #1 overall seed.”
Cowherd is not so sure, and pushed back on the lack of star power on Green Bay’s roster. He also talked about that same issue in detail on his podcast, saying:
“I like Green Bay’s running back, Josh Jacobs, the receiving corps I thought was incredibly promising at the beginning of last year, but now they drafted a receiver in the first round, signaling they don’t trust it. Here’s my knock on Green Bay: Do they have six elite players? Because that’s kind of what wins the Super Bowl.”
Jordan Love’s lack of rhythm in 2024 and potential for 2025
Cowherd did go on to excuse Jordan Love for what was a relatively inconsistent season. He was injured late in the opening game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil, and that seemed to slow his progression throughout the rest of the year.
When he came back from injury in Week 4, Love had an up-and-down game against the Minnesota Vikings. He threw for 389 passing yards and four touchdowns, but also tossed three interceptions in a game the Packers lost 31-29.
He was more composed down the stretch, throwing nine touchdowns with zero interceptions in the final seven games of the regular season. Unfortunately, those interceptions came back to haunt him in the playoffs, with no touchdowns and three picks in the wildcard round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2025, the Packers have added a potential star in first-round draft pick Matthew Golden. Green Bay is hoping he’ll help to open up the offense, which is already loaded with young playmakers.
If Josh Jacobs can continue to run the show on the ground, Green Bay’s offense has incredible potential. Their defense performed extremely well under first year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who was a well qualified hire as the former head coach at Boston College.
