We take a moment to remember Madden as a great man and an advocate for football before diving in to a look at how the Packers’ roster has been affected by injury and COVID.
Before we get into the rest of today’s Cheese Curds about the Green Bay Packers, one news story must come before all else. That involves legendary coach, broadcaster, and video game icon John Madden, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday:
NFL Hall of Fame coach, broadcasting icon John Madden dies at 85 | ESPN
Madden’s impact on the NFL cannot be overstated. As a broadcaster, he was instrumental in helping fans understand the game better and also love it more. Through the video game that bore his name, he did the same.
Madden’s love of football shone through everything he did, and although his personality and delivery could be easily mocked or parodied, anyone who did so did it from a place of appreciation. John Madden will be missed by any and all football fans, and we wish his family the best.
Shifting gears to the Packers, Green Bay has some major issues on the depth chart right now. As our Justis Mosqueda broke down yesterday, nearly every position group on the team has been hit hard by injury or COVID-19, and the current state of the outside linebacker and offensive tackle groups is particularly worrying:
What Green Bay’s depth chart looks like by position right now. Positional (O/D) snaps by every player. Outside linebacker is nuts. Kalambayi saw some reps at OLB in the NFL but has mostly played true LB recently. pic.twitter.com/lnAZkYNl4u
— Justis Mosqueda (NFL Owner) (@JuMosq) December 28, 2021
Keep that in mind this week as the Packers hope to get some players back on the field in time for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
What You Might’ve Missed: More than meets the stat sheet | Packers.com
In Madden’s honor, let’s look at the telestrator to break down some of the big sacks and interceptions from the Packers’ defense on Saturday.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is now overwhelming favorite to be 2021 NFL MVP | Packers Wire
Like last year, Rodgers has made a late-season charge to become the odds-on favorite for MVP.
Packers LT Yosh Nijman Rises to Occasion for Injured David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins – SI.com
Nijman continues to impress, with Christmas Day’s latest performance putting a giant grin on Rodgers’ face.
‘Psycho’ squirrel on 48-hour rampage leaves 18 people injured – Wales Online
Don’t mess with Welsh squirrels!