Comparing the 2022 Packers to the 2010 Team
The Packers have a roster with their sights set on a Super Bowl championship. But how does this roster stack up to the last Packers team to win it all?
By BruceIrons
The Packers have been close to the Super Bowl for the last three years.
They are in the mix again this year. Despite losing the best receiver in the league, the Packers 2022 roster looks even better than the 2021 roster. Now, let's look at how this roster stacks up to the 2010 team that won it all.
Quarterback: Take your pick between a young, short-haired, ascending Aaron Rodgers and the veteran, reigning back-to-back MVP, shroomer Aaron Rodgers. I think they're pretty similar in terms of effectiveness. Argue all you want about Jordan Love vs Matt Flynn, this position is kind of a toss up.
Advantage: Even
Running back: James Starks caught some lighting in a bottle after Ryan Grant was lost for the year and Brandon Jackson was mostly ineffective, but even at their best, they were light years behind the combination of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon.
Advantage: 2022
Wide Receiver: Look, I'm optimistic that the current group of Lazard, Doubs, Watkins, Cobb, Watson, and Rodgers can be a good enough group to win with. I think they might even surprise people with how well they play. But nowhere, not even in the wildest machinations of my ever-optimistic mind, do I think they will sniff the level that Jordy, Jennings, Jones, and Driver reached in that Super Bowl run.
Advantage: 2010
Tight End: The 2010 squad lost Jermichael Finley to injury and rolled through the playoffs with Andrew Quarless, Donald Lee, and Tom Crabtree. As much as I love Crabtree, I think the potential return of Robert Tonyan, along with the veteran leadership of Marcedes Lewis gives the 2022 tight end group a slight edge.
Advantage: 2022 (barely)
Offensive Line: In 2010, the Packers lost right tackle Mark Tauscher for the season, but rookie Bryan Bulaga stepped in and played great opposite Chad Clifton. The interior of College, Wells, and Sitton was a very good group. In 2022, the Packers have even worse injuries. Even if David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins could return to health, a the promising young guys they have to fill out the line, still probably couldn't rival the 2010 unit.
Advantage: 2010
Defensive Line: BJ Raji got all the press, but Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins were just as impactful. Kenny Clark is still probably better than the lot of them. Can Jarran Reed and Devonte Wyatt raise the profile of this group to 2010 levels? Quite possibly. But for now, the 2010 group gets the nod.
Advantage: 2010 (for now)
Edge Rushers: Both teams featured a stud edge rusher that could be listed as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Clay Matthews was an All Pro who showed incredible bend around the edge. Rashan Gary plays a different game with a lot more power and the ability to put his hand in the dirt. These guys are a close call, but Preston Smith is in a class above the likes of Frank Zombo and Erik Walden, giving our current group the nod.
Advantage: 2022
Inside Linebackers: The Packers have historically undervalued the inside linebacker position but, they spent a top 5 pick on AJ Hawk. They got a reliable player, but he was not in the same league as De'Vondre Campbell, who has been a game-changer and earned All Pro honors. Quay Walker hasn't played a down yet, but his pedigree is much higher than Desmond Bishop. Bishop was a good player, but not so much better than the more athletic Walker to give the 2010 group the advantage when Campbell was so much better than Hawk.
Advantage: 2022
Cornerbacks: This is an absolutely bonkers comparison. Jaire Alexander can legitimately be called the best cornerback in the NFL, Rasul Douglas was a big play machine and Eric Stokes posted incredible numbers in coverage as a rookie. They are the best three man corner group in the NFL. But, they're still probably not as good as Sam Shields (one of the most surprising rookies in the league at the time), Tramon Williams (who was one of the top big play cover men in the league), and Charles Woodson (maybe the greatest cornerback of all time). The nod here, as crazy as it is to see the 2022 group playing second fiddle to anyone, has to go to the 2010 group.
Advantage: 2010
Safeties: Nick Collins might have been on the way to the Hall of Fame, but Adrian Amos has been nothing short of a stud. Charlie Peprah was little more than a role player, but Darnell Savage, while faster and more athletic, has been inconsistent. There's a strong case on either side, but Nick Collins's impact gives the 2010 group a slight edge.
Advantage: 2010 (barely)
Special Team: Eh, let's not talk about special teams.
Advantage: Do I even need to answer?
Coaching: Mike McCarthy gets a bad rap from a lot of fans for how his tenure ended. In 2010, he build a dominant offense with dominant tools. As time passed, he did not evolve as fast as the rest of the league and fell behind, but his 2010 coaching performance, especially in the face of so many season-ending injuries to starters, was nothing short of brilliant. Matt LaFleur has shown a lot more adaptability, as well as a more relatable persona, while also navigating significant injury issues and a media circus around his quarterback. Different leaders for different times.
Advantage: Even
So, at the end of the day, who was better?
Well, we know that the 2010 unit was able to win it all and bring home those shiny rings. Will the 2022 unit be able to do the same?
Time will tell, but they definitely have the players and coaches in place to be successful.
If some guys can step up over the course of the season and - more importantly - in the post-season, we may have to revisit some of the scoring here.
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Bruce Irons has played, coached, and studied football for decades. Best-selling author of books such as A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Draft, A Fan's Guide To Understanding The NFL Salary Cap, and A Fan's Guide To NFL Free Agency Hits And Misses, Bruce contributes to CheeseHeadTV and PackersForTheWin.com.
Follow Bruce Irons on Twitter at @BruceIronsNFL.
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Comments (29)
PackEyedOptimist
August 21, 2022 at 06:39 am
Hmm... You'll get a surprising amount of disagreement from me, Bruce.
First of all, you said "But for now, the 2010 group gets the nod," about the DL. But that seems to miss the point of your article. If we're comparing 2010 to 2022, of COURSE everything is "for now." We need to ask, "Do we think the 2022 roster will be superior to that of 2010 when all is said and done," not "can they be better." Of course, they CAN.
So, I'll make the prediction, with these thoughts about who I think will be best:
QB: SAME
RB: 2022
WR: 2010
TE: 2022 (Tonyan/Lewis/DeGuara should be MUCH better than 2010)
OL: SAME (I'm counting on Bakhtiari and Jenkins playing: Bakhtiari > Clifton, Jenkins > Tauscher, Meyer = Wells, College = Runyon, Sitton > whoever.)
DL: 2022 (Clark > Raji, Lowery = Pickett, Jenkins >/= Reed, Wyatt = wild card)
IL: 2022
ED: 2022
CB: SAME (I think your rosy nostalgia glasses are at work... The 2010 squad was good at turnovers, but this 2022 group has a shut-down CB. Alexander = Woodson, Douglas = Williams, Stokes > Shields)
S: SAME Amos = Collins, Savage >/= Peprah
ST: 2010
Coaching: SAME
Total: SAME = 4 (QB, OL, CB, S), 2010 = 2 (WR,ST), 2022 = 5 (RB, TE, DL, ILB, ED)
Looks like 2022 wins on paper as a PROGNOSTICATION, but they will only be looked at that way in the future if they also win the 2023 super Bowl.
murf7777
August 21, 2022 at 09:39 am
I agree with much of what you are saying, but com’on man, Amos = Collins?? Collins would be in the HOF today if he didn’t have a career ending injury, he had 3 consecutive pro-bowls before the injury and he was still young. Collins was a rare breed with speed, instincts, big play ability and a sure tackler. Amos is good and might make a pro-bowl this year, but not at Collins level.
PackEyedOptimist
August 21, 2022 at 11:42 am
Hey Murf, I could have done Woodson >/= Alexander and Collins >/= Amos, but I think in both cases, we’re dealing with much-ballyhooed greatness vs. underrecognized greatness. I think in both cases, the 2022 players have very similar effects on their team’s defense. Amos is the super-dependable, always in the right place, safety, and both Woodson and Alexander are avoided by QBs.
marpag1
August 21, 2022 at 01:58 pm
If "much-ballyhooed" means the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a 4 time first team all-pro, and a 4 time second team all pro who went to 9 pro bowls and is a member of the NFL "all decade team" for the 2000s, then yes, Woodson is "much-ballyhooed." And Alexander... isn't. We'll see if he ever is.
xajigor409
August 21, 2022 at 05:00 pm
Thanks
stockholder
August 21, 2022 at 06:44 am
Team 2010. Not only was the defense better. But the entire offense. Barely doesn't work. For now doesn't work. The 2022 team has too much to prove yet.
Savage57
August 21, 2022 at 06:55 am
Nice article, recapping the last Lombardi winners and the comparison to current chasers.
You'd like to believe 11 more years of playing QB at the highest level in the NFL has honed AR's skills to razor sharpness, so I have to go with 2022 AR being the better QB.
As for the rest, 100% in agreement, especially with regard to the Cornerbacks. As good as we hope he'll turn out to be, Jaire Alexander isn't in Charles Woodson's class at this point in his career.
mrtundra
August 21, 2022 at 07:45 am
GO PACK, GO!!!
Charvid
August 21, 2022 at 08:06 am
It’s a fascinating topic, but an equally important question is are the 2022 Bucs ( or 49er’s or Rams) better than the 2021 teams. We won’t be playing the 2010 Packers for a chance at the title…we will have to beat teams that we lost to the last 3 years. Have they improved as much or more than GB?
barutanseijin
August 21, 2022 at 08:07 am
The preseason 2022 team is being compared to the 2010 after the postseason, after all the injuries and substitutions. We’ll see if the 2022 team has the same depth.
A football team is only as strong as its weakest part. The offensive line hasn’t held up in the past two postseasons. This year’s OL has even more question marks than last year’s .
Finally, 2010 Rodgers was way better than today’s version. Look at his YPA. He used to be head and shoulders above anyone else & lately he is in the middle of the pack. He usef to take off running more often and his rushing yards are down. The only area where he is keeping up with his old self is in his INT ratio. However, none of that matters if the OL doesn’t hold up.
marpag1
August 21, 2022 at 08:57 am
"A football team is only as strong as its weakest part."
How does this make any sense? So if a team has top 5, blue chip type players for 21 out of 22 positions, but has a JV level player at left guard or punter, it means they're only as good as that one weak player?
Don't think so....
GregC
August 21, 2022 at 09:45 am
He said "weakest part," not "weakest player." And yes, if the OL as a whole is suspect, it can sink the entire team, as it did the last two years in the playoffs. We will probably get Elgton Jenkins back at full strength, but if David Bahktiari can't return and play near his highest level, the OL could still be a weak point.
marpag1
August 21, 2022 at 10:19 am
A player IS a part of the team, but whatever.
The 2006 Colts gave up 173 rushing yards per game. That's the worst number of any team in almost four decades (1985 until now). Not exactly stout run defenders, you see. They were 21st in total yards allowed and 23rd in points allowed.
The 2006 Colts won the Super bowl.
Do you think maybe Peyton Manning might have raised the level of the team somewhat higher than the level of its weakest PART?
And doesn't everyone on this site go on ad nauseum about how Aaron Rodgers can raise the level of a weak WR group so that the team can still compete for a title? Pretty sure I remember hearing that...
murf7777
August 21, 2022 at 09:14 am
“Finally, 2010 Rodgers was way better than today’s version.“
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Rodgers just win back to back MVP’s? I guess most others would disagree with your assessment.
GregC
August 21, 2022 at 09:56 am
Some MVPs are better than others, and the Aaron Rodgers who won it in 2011 (continuing the roll that he got onto at the end of the 2010 season) was a more mobile QB and a more dynamic player than the current version. I think his cranky old guy persona is a detriment as well, although probably not a major one.
DoubleJ
August 21, 2022 at 11:36 am
"Finally, 2010 Rodgers was way better than today’s version. Look at his YPA. He used to be head and shoulders above anyone else & lately he is in the middle of the pack. He usef to take off running more often and his rushing yards are down. The only area where he is keeping up with his old self is in his INT ratio."
There only place Rodgers is better then to now is the rushing ability. While 2010 Rodgers YPA was better, his AY/A and ANY/A are better now. For the 2021 season GB was 2nd in AY/A and 1st in ANY/A. That sure seems like top of the league. Even the YPA they finished 9th in 2021 so that isn't "middle of the pack."
croatpackfan
August 21, 2022 at 08:16 am
Bruce if we say that comparing todays football with the football12 years ago is like comparing 2 type of fruits - say apples and tomatoes.
Rules are just different, especially in favor of passing game, much larger QB protection, taunting issues, one game more during season and one game more during wild-card post season. Second, more teams are playing under the roof thaat was playing at 2010, etc Football is much different beast today than it was in 2010.
I will add that it looks like officiating is less quality than it was in 2010. And that brings us to hardener predictions how will team execute. Just for example - PI call on Jean-Charles was ridiculous one. If that kind of play is not allowed how in the world DB can prevent catch by active playing on the ball.
So, measuring players from 12 years ago and trying to make any valid conclusion, by ma opinion, is just mind game with no support in reality. It is amusing, it is intersting, just not real. The question is how would players from Packers team (considering them in the top shape) 2010 fare comparing with present players playing under the present rules and demands...
10ve 💚
August 21, 2022 at 09:31 am
"The question is how would players from Packers team (considering them in the top shape) 2010 fare comparing with present players playing under the present rules and demands..."
Croat, if you compare how the the 2010 team would play now, there are additional points you will also have to consider.
You will have to consider that the 2010 players would also been stronger, more athletic, recover faster from injuries and be better prepared mentally because they would also have access to the advances in technology, exercise science and medical advantages.
So: nice way to pass the time before the season starts, but at the end of the day, that is all it is -- a past-time.
13titles
August 21, 2022 at 08:18 am
The 2010 team only scraped into the playoffs but then powered through. The team now powers TO the playoffs and drops out with a whimper.
Is the 2022 team one that can win playoffs?
PatrickGB
August 21, 2022 at 08:23 am
This was an interesting article. At first I thought “no way”. Yet, good points were made with a minimum amount of cherry picking. Where I disagree is the offensive line. Of course Jenkins is very good and I like Myers. The rest of the line is …meh. Of course that changes if Bahk returns. The problems with WR is obvious. While it seems like an apple to oranges comparison it’s fun to think about. Thanks for the article.
Coldworld
August 21, 2022 at 09:12 am
I don’t generally put much energy into these kind of comparisons, but I think The salient point is that there’s a very reasonable basis for this comparison (albeit starting versus finishing rosters, which is a stretch).
Woodson at his peak as he then was is better than any current player, even Jaire. Rodgers was more flexible mentally and particularly physically. MM was still innovative and had not become stuck in his mental paradigm as he later became. He was a much better coach at that point than LaFleur has demonstrated that he is.
More 2010 players were more proven I think, whereas we now have more upside in the calculation. Today’s team may be better next year (at least other than QB). You are relying on Bakh, Jenkins and Tonyan to come back and match their previous highs. That’s not a given in the first season after ACLs.
It’s close, and that’s all that matters. There should be no excuses for not being active into next year.
LambeauPlain
August 21, 2022 at 09:22 am
This comparison makes no sense. It will in February 2023. Comparing an opinion for the 2022 team performance prediction to actual player results from 2010 is apples and onions.
If you want to compare, look at the 2010 roster in August '10. Rodgers 3rd season as a starter leading a team just one year removed from a 6-10 season and a wildcard loss after an 11-5 season. The arrow was pointing up but few believed the 2010 Packers were SB favorites in August of 2010.
Many believe the 2022 squad is, based on a roster that has helped deliver 3 straight 13 win seasons with a HOF QB and a deep investment in Defense.
Looking at the two squads in August tells me past performance of the 2022 squad would predict better results than the August 2010 team's recent history.
Johnblood27
August 21, 2022 at 10:31 am
which, in totality, tells us that there is just NO WAY to predict the future in terms of NFL performance.
Coldworld
August 21, 2022 at 03:29 pm
Look at how predicted strength of schedule looks by November each year if additional proof of that is needed.
murf7777
August 21, 2022 at 09:32 am
Let’s look at who made the pro-bowl in 2010 vs projected 2022 for some fun and interest.
2010 - 8 players and in parenthesis is how many years made it.
Clifton (2)
Driver (3)
Jennings (1)
Collins (3).
Woodson (3)
Williams (1)
Matthews (2)
Hawk (1)
2022 Projected 10. I would say 6 are locked in to the pro bowl.
Rodgers. Lock
A. Jones
Jenkins Lock
Bak Lock
Clark. Lock
Gary. Lock
Campbell
Alexander. Lock
Douglas
Amos
There’s a four outliers who might not make it and a couple who might make it. they are as follows:
Might Not make it…. Campbell, Douglas, A Jones and Amos. Of course Bak depends on returning to 90% of form.
Might make it….. Starks and Dillon.
Realistically, they will end up with 6-8 pro-bowl type players this year which will be similar to 2010. Both teams were loaded with good players now we will play the game to find out which one is better. Of course, 2010 results can only be matched and opinions can follow.
TarynsEyes
August 21, 2022 at 10:14 am
No matter how one makes and answers the comparison question, there is the one thing the recent teams in GB and yet to be seen from this one were lacking that the 2010 team had in abundance, and to get to the SB this team will need this.
https://youtu.be/0rn_cbYxruk
Yes, especially Rodgers, failed to be the Shane Falco we needed him to be. I'm not sure if Rodgers has it in him this year when needed.
13TimeChamps
August 21, 2022 at 10:24 am
A fun article, but a more proper time to do it would be after this years team has won the NFC and is preparing to play in Super Bowl LVII. Too many unpredictable variables to consider for this current team at this time, whereas the 2010 team's roster was obviously already set.
That being said, one area where we know who will be representing this team is the HC. I disagree with the author's assessment that it is even. Mike McCarthy was probably at his peak as a HC at that time. They rolled through the playoffs as a 6 seed. MLF still has a lot to prove as a playoff coach.
NickPerry
August 21, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Thanks Bruce, this was a fun piece and I thought you did an excellent job with your comparisons.
QB...Even after 2 straight MVPs I think I'd stll take the 2010 Rodgers. For one I have NO DOUBT he'd have ran it in on 2nd and goal from the 8 against TB in 2020, AND did "The Belt" afterwords. I also think he throws to the WIDE OPEN Lazard last year vs the 49ers. Besides, Rodgers came back the following year and picked up where he left off...GREAT!...2010
RB...Not even close...2022
WR...Do we even have to ask? Jordy has his coming out party in the SB and Jennings was the best slot receiver in the NFL IMO that year...27 Tampa baby!!!
O-Line... WITH Bakhtiari and Jenkins I'll take 2022 without a doubt. With Jenkins and Nijman I think I'd still take 2022 as long as it's Runyan, Meyers, and Zack Tom in the interior. Yes, I like Tom. He may not be the best-run blocker yet, but I'll take his pass pro over Newman all day.
D-Line... Sorry, for me it's 2022. I know I'm in the minority but I think the Packers will have finally unleashed the beast named Kenny Clark in 2022 by FINALLY getting him some help. I've said it before, Reed will be this year's Campbell signing and Wyatt will just get better as he plays faster and learns his assignments. Lowry and Slayton are good rotational pieces and they may have to keep Stanton too. ...2022
ILBs...2022...Give me Campbell and Walker over Bishop and Hawk. I'd also take Barnes and possibly McDuffie as a 4th over any back-up ILB the Packers had in 2010...
OLBs... 2022... Two are better than one. The Packers actually have 2 OLBs in 2022. I'd say Gary and CMII are a coin flip, at least for now but Smith gives the 2022 group a big edge.
CB... 2010... Charles was one of the greatest to play the game. Tramon Williams was GREAT in 2010 and beyond and Sam Shields was one of Ted Thompson's best UDFA signings ever. Almost up there with T-Will... Not to mention 2010 were a bunch of ball-hawks. BUT I think this 2022 group is the best in the NFL right now...
Safety...Adrian Amos is one of the most underrated Packers on this team. I have no idea why he wasn't given an extension because he deserved it. I'd still take Collins over Amos but I'd probably take Savage and Amos over Collins and Peprah. It's too damn close...PUSH
ST...2010....Hmmm... Do we get 2020 Crosby or 2021 Crosby? I'll take O'Donnell over Masthay...I think. Since we have NO IDEA who's playing ST yet since the Packers are resting EVERYONE. I CRINGE at the idea of putting AJ Dillon or another VERY IMPORTANT player to the offense or defense on ST so for now it's 2010 because they had Jarrett Bush. Dude was one of the best gunners the Packers have ever had IMO.
Coaching Staff... Hell, give MLF that WR Group and the Packers would have won the last two Superbowls. I Liked MaCarthy but I like MLF's scheme better. I guess we'll see after this year. IF (and it's a big if) he can finally get Rodgers to play the scheme 95% of the time I think they have an excellent chance to win a SB this year...PUSH for now
That's 4 for 2010
That's 5 for 2022
That's 2 Pushes
Obviously, I like this defense. I honestly believe they can be the best Defense in the NFL this year. They'll need injury luck because the only weakness on this defense IMO is depth...At least for now but Gute has done a great job in previous years shoring that up so... In Gute I Trust.
Since'61
August 21, 2022 at 01:22 pm
I find that the premise for this article is somewhat off base. It would better to compare the 2022 roster with the 1996 SB team roster. In which there would be no comparison as the 1996 SB winning roster was clearly the better roster. Better coaches, HOF QB, great OL, better WRs and TE and a much better defense. The '96 team was the #1 offense and the #1 defense in the league and they were clearly a dominant team.
The 2010 team needed help to reach the playoffs. Granted they did play excellently when they reached the playoffs and Aaron Rodgers played off the charts in the divisional round against Atlanta. The 2010 Packers also dominated much of the SB game against the Steelers.
The 2022 roster has numerous question marks going into the season. The QB is the same but the receiving corps is a big question mark at this point. The starting RBs are probably the best tandem the Packers have had at RB since Hornung and Taylor. But the key to the 2022 season will be the level of play by the Packers OL. As of today the OL is a huge question mark, at least until Jenkins and Bak are ready to play. Even then the right side of the OL will remain an issue.
The defense should be improved over recent seasons but will they be as good as either the 2010 defense or the 1996 defense? At this point, the level of defensive play is difficult to determine. Better than '96, probably not. Better than 2010, possibly. In either case just about everything needs to go right for the 2022 Packers to reach and win the SB. In 2010 the Packers endured and overcame numerous injuries thanks to Raji, Jenkins, Collins and Woodson on defense and primarily due to Aaron Rodgers on offense. The current depth on the 2022 roster makes it questionable whether they could overcome a similar injury plague which they endured in 2010. Plus the OL and the receiving corps could hold this team back even without serious injury problems.
The Packers are likely to return to the playoffs but will they be the hot team come playoff time or will their weaknesses be exposed yet again due to injuries and/or lack of depth? And will STs be fixed or will they cause another premature end to the season? Until we get those answers all we have is hope, hype and speculation. None of those can be considered a plan. Thanks, Since '61