Packers sent loud messages with every draft decision and the long-term impact on the roster is already taking shape

Teams lie all the time in the NFL, especially during the pre-draft process—when there's actual benefit in making opponents have a different perception of your thought process. It's significantly more difficult to lie when decisions are made.

And well, the Packers made several decisions over the past few days, including eight draft picks and picking up Devonte Wyatt's fifth-year option for 2026.

Let's evaluate what the Packers truly revealed to us during the process.

Love is not Rodgers, and the NFL is different

During Aaron Rodgers' tenure, the Packers overinvested in defense. Sure, the team did add Day 2 wide receivers, some high-drafted tackles, but for the most part the resources were going to the defensive side of the ball—both with draft picks and with rare free agent signings.

By taking three offensive players with their first three picks, including a first-round wide receiver for the first time in 23 years, and a first-round offensive player in back-to-back years for the first time since 2010-2011, the Packers sent obvious signals.

First, the Packers understand that Jordan Love isn't Aaron Rodgers—and he doesn't need to be. It's nearly impossible for a quarterback to elevate the offense like Rodgers did during his prime, and a team shouldn't expect someone to do that. Even if Love is good, with elite potential, it's much smarter to put him in the best possible circumstances to see him flourish.

But it also shows that general manager Brian Gutekunst understands it's a different NFL now. While the Packers are usually set in their own ways, Gutekunst brings new elements to roster-building in comparison to Ted Thompson, tending to be more active to acquire players in other avenues. His willingness to overinvest in offensive players is a good indication of this process, because offense is what's more reliable and impactful for building a strong team, despite the outdated "defense wins championships" mantra.

The Packers know who they want to keep, and who they don't

Gutekunst and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball have some tough decisions to make, because they got eight starting-caliber players in the 2022 draft class. While that's awesome at first, it also means these players' rookie contracts are coming to an end, and it's impossible to pay everyone.

With how the Packers approach this year's draft, it's clearer now how they want to keep.

They took two offensive linemen, Anthony Belton and John Williams, which means that they are probably comfortable allowing Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan to walk in free agency—presumably, Zach Tom will get the big extension of the group.

By taking two wide receivers in the top three rounds in Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, the Packers also made it easier to move on from Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs—both good weapons, but maybe not enough to justify a veteran contract in a cloudy wide receiver market.

On the other hand, the Packers didn't take a defensive tackle until the sixth round, in Warren Brinson, and almost immediately after that exercised Devonte Wyatt's fifth-year option.

Green Bay trusts Jeff Hafley (a lot)

Usually, the Packers have underwhelming defensive results based on the personnel. That had frequently been the case under Dom Capers, Mike Pettine, and especially Joe Barry. With Jeff Hafley, though, the defense stayed afloat despite significant injuries last year. That finally gives the front office the flexibility to invest more in the offense, expecting the defensive coaching staff to maximize the talent they have.

"Jeff Hafley did an amazing job coming in here in Year 1. Those guys really grew together. I think we were playing our best football on defense at the end of the year," Gutekunst said after last season. "I'm a big believer that every year is a different year, but I do think some of the things we went through this year with a number of rookies playing a lot of snaps for us, along with X (Xavier McKinney) coming in from another team, so I think as those guys grow together, that communication will consistently get better and better. Really excited about where the defense is right now."

With Hafley, the Packers think they can make more with less for the first time in a long time.