The Green Packers are 3-6 just past the halfway mark of the 2023 NFL season. Barring a major, unexpected turnaround, the Packers will not be a playoff team this season. So, the most important thing the organization needs to do is to show progress and figure out how to improve their chances to return to the postseason in 2024.

The biggest issue is to determine whether Jordan Love should be the quarterback this team should build around for the future. Love has made some progress in recent games, but he still has a way to go.

Against Pittsburgh, he did a much better job of throwing accurately downfield and working through his progressions.

Thus far, the Packers are 1-4 in one-score games. Love had a chance to win all four of those games with late drives. Clearly, he is still learning what it takes to win close games in the NFL.

Remember, in 2008, Aaron Rodgers’ first season as the starter, the Packers went 1-7 in one score games with the only win coming in Week 1. That is not to compare Love to Rodgers, but to simply point out that learning how to win close games in the NFL is often a process for NFL quarterbacks.

The Packers also need to figure out what to do with defensive coordinator Joe Barry. The Packers defense is presently 11^th in points allowed and 11^th in yards allowed. Statistically, that sounds good but there are obviously issues that need to be resolved.

The Packers still can’t stop the run consistently. Yes, they emphasize stopping the pass and preventing splash plays. But last week against Pittsburgh, for example, the Packers defense played a light box against a team that clearly wanted to run the football and had a below average quarterback.

Instead of forcing Kenny Pickett to win the game with his arm, the Packers employed a nickel defense early in the game, even when the Steelers were inside the Green Bay five-yard line. A combination of bad strategy and poor tackling and execution led to the Pack giving up more than 200 yards rushing and a loss in a game they could have won.

The Packers defense is also failing to make big plays. They are near the bottom of the NFL with just eight turnovers in nine games. If your defense is designed to prevent big plays, they also need to create big plays. That means interceptions, fumble recoveries and sacks. Unfortunately, the Pack is tied for 29^th in the league in turnovers created. They are also 21^st in the league in sacks. Big plays are a missing element from this defense.

The future of both the team’s top two running backs is also up in the air. Aaron Jones has missed a lot of games this year due to a nagging hamstring injury. He is approaching 30 and is considered “old” for a running back. Jones also has a high cap number next season. He already took a pay cut to stay in Green Bay this year, but would he do it again?

A.J. Dillon’s rookie contract expires after this season, and he is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. Dillon started slowly this season but has improved in recent weeks. If the Pack decides to move on from Jones, would they also move on from Dillon? If they keep him, at what cost?

The Packers also need to see more of young players like Rasheed Walker and Carrington Valentine to see if they are future starters or role players or worth keeping at all.

The young receiving corps also needs to be sorted out. What role should Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks play on this team?

Who learns the most, who develops the most and who stands out over the last eight games will go a long way to determining the future of these players and of the team. It will help GM Brian Gutekunst figure out what positions need to be emphasized in the draft and in free agency.

The Packers are not likely to make the playoffs this season, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot to play for.