There is one path to success for the Green Bay Packers in 2024, and it rolls directly through the month of January.
After a Divisional Round berth in Jordan Love's first year as the starting quarterback, Green Bay has its sights set firmly on playing deep into the postseason. With a young and talented roster, there's every reason to believe these Packers can challenge the NFC's best.
Heading into Week 1, the linebacking core looks like one of the few relative question marks on the Packers' roster. And though time is running short, there may still be room for one more former superstar on the depth chart in Green Bay.
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox named the Packers as a top fit for former four-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who is still a free agent after splitting the 2023 season between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
"Leonard was a first-team All-Pro in 2018, 2020 and 2021. If he can come anywhere near that level of play again, he could be a massive 2024 bargain," Knox said. "The Packers could afford to add some linebacker help after ranking just 23rd in yards per carry allowed last season."
A lot has transpired since Leonard, 29, last made an All-Pro team. He had a major offseason back surgery, suffered setbacks with his recovery in the middle of the following season, then was waived by the Colts after expressing his frustrations with his limited role in 2023.
However, as a buy-low option, it's hard to imagine a higher ceiling based on past performance than what Leonard showed at his peak. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named first-team All-Pro in 2018, then quickly ripped off a streak of three more All-Pro designations.
With rookies Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper joining an already-young linebacking room, a veteran with the career accomplishments of Leonard could be exactly what the group needs to take Green Bay's defense to the next level.
A player of Leonard's experience doesn't necessarily need to be in the building by Week 1 to be ready to contribute, and that's a good thing at this point. The Packers take on Leonard's last team, the Philadelphia Eagles, to open their season in Brazil just nine days from Wednesday.
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