Being a Green Bay Packers fan certainly has its benefits. Since 2006, the franchise has been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL, and the last three regular seasons have all ended with the Packers as divisional champions.
Despite having some of the NFL Playoffs worst odds, the Packers have proven time and again that the merits of hard work and determination are not to be trifled with. But what is the secret behind their success? Like most winning teams, it’s a combination of elements that make them so effective. Here are five reasons why the Packers are true legends of the NFL.
1. Proficient management
Every team needs a strong foundation in order to succeed, and the Packers have had more than enough capable hands controlling the action behind the scenes, from general management all the way through to assistant positions.
Take the saga of Brett Favre and the Packers, for example. When Favre’s indecision over retirement was causing friction and affecting the team’s performance, the general manager at the time, Ted Thompson, decided that he would field a new quarterback, rather than bend to Favre’s demands.
The harmony of the team is always more important than any individual player, and it’s this holistic style of management that led to Aaron Rodgers taking the quarterback position instead of Favre.
Unfortunately, Thompson was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder in 2018 and appointed Brian Gutekunst as his replacement. Gutenkunst had been with the franchise since 1998, in yet another example of the team’s philosophy of growth and loyalty.
2. Excellent coaches
Great teams need great coaches. Without the likes of Mike McCarthy, Dom Capers, and their assistant coaches, the Packers would never have been able to maintain such a high level of performance in recent years.
McCarthy was renowned for his charismatic leadership and invaluable experience. To give you an idea of his motivational tactics, he once had the whole team fitted for Super Bowl rings, well before the actual event was to take place.
The legacy they left behind is what the Packers mentality is all about – positivity and team cohesion. So while McCarthy was replaced by Matt LeFleur in 2019, and Joe Barry took up Caper’s position in 2021, the methodology that guides decision-making remains the same.
One player or one coach is never more important than the team itself. Every playmaking prodigy needs a guiding hand and a team who can make the most of opportunities, and the Packers’ coaches know that lesson all too well.
3. Strong leadership
It’s not just the coaches and managers that exhibit strong leadership skills. The Packers have clear lines of communication on the field as well, both in their offensive and defensive squads.
We’ve already mentioned how Aaron Rodgers brought the offense some much-needed stability, but the team also had Josh Sitton as the guard and leader of the offensive line, and we all know how effective he was at breaking defensive alignments.
On the defensive side, who can forget Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews? The pair coordinated one of the toughest defenses in the NFL, crushing the advance of opposing teams through blitz plays and adaptive strategies.
All in all, 21 Packers have entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And although the team has younger players for the 2022/23 season, the aforementioned leadership mentality ensures every position is filled by a player who deserves to be there.
4. A healthy team dynamic
It’s no exaggeration to claim that synergy and a unified vision are the Packers’ greatest strengths. This isn’t a franchise that focuses on big-name signings and a star-studded roster. Instead, it’s all about presenting a unified front and the chemistry between players.
Every player knows their role and performs it to a tee. They all follow the same game plan, and any deviations are swiftly called out by fellow players. Suspensions are rare and miscommunications occur once in a blue moon.
While these strengths should be considered critical for any team, the Packers have managed to execute their plans with a rare level of consistency, which could have a little something to do with the fact that the franchise is the only publicly owned professional team in the NFL.
5. Dedicated fans
Most NFL teams have die-hard fan bases, but the Packers have a unique relationship with their fans. For starters, they’re a publicly owned team, which means that over 380,000 shareholders have a say in the future of the franchise.
Since 1960, the Packers have sold out for every home game. The enthusiasm that’s on display during these home games is second to none, and fans carry that intoxicating excitement with them when the team is on the road.
The perfect example of Cheesehead dedication is the jaw-dropping wait time for a season ticket. With a season-ticket waiting list of 86,000 names and an estimated turnover of 90 tickets per year, a fan that applies in 2022 can expect to get their season ticket by the year 2970.
Regardless of the extensive wait time, new names are added to the waiting list every year. That kind of dedication is extremely hard to come by, and the Packers know how important this statistic is. It shows unwavering loyalty and dedication, which, oddly enough, are the exact same elements that lead to consistent performance and a winning mentality.
