Numbers do not lie as the Green Bay Packers have started a streak of playoff appearances while holding the title of being the youngest team in the NFL. It is an achievement that reveals not only this team’s potential but also how consistently well the youth is being developed. Sure, not every player develops as planned or exceeds expectations like fourth round draft pick Zach Tom, who is blossoming into a potential all-pro versatile offensive lineman in front of Lambeau Field faithful's eyes. Not every player can have an impact on the game right away like second round draft pick outstanding rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who is already being recognized as a top 10 linebacker in the league. Yet, Tom (25 years old) and Cooper (23 years old) are only two of Green Bay’s crucial pieces of the youth movement that look to take the next step of development and rising to the occasion when it is crunch time.

Growing pains are expected.

Practice and preach patience. According to Stat Muse, the Packers finished 10th in the category of being the most penalized team in the NFL with a rate of 39.5% of the calls being on third down, which is the same number as the New York Jets who finished as the most penalized team. Developing consistent discipline with a young talented team takes time. The Packers finished tied for third with the most drops in NFL with a total of 33 including second year wide receivers Jayden Reed (24 years old) and Dontayvion Wicks (23 years old) each finishing in the top ten. However, a season of drops does not define one’s career as history has shown former Packers wide receivers like Davante Adams and Donald Driver make huge leaps in the beginning of their careers after struggling starts. Another growing pain was the Packers faltering in big games when facing NFC playoff contenders going 0-6 against division rival Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and the eventual Super Bowl champs Philadelphia Eagles.  Back-to-back losses in the playoffs does not define a young team. In fact, it shapes a young team. Quarterback Jordan Love (26 years old) is two for two in leading the Packers to the playoffs as a starter including a win under his belt. One could argue that he has exceeded expectations especially by following in the footsteps of not one, but two legendary quarterbacks. That is a certain amount of pressure that most newly starting quarterbacks would fold under or take more time to develop. A healthier and even more seasoned Love in year three as a starter combined with running back Josh Jacobs (27 years old) as a dynamic duo has the trajectory of this team continuing to elevate.

How much does youth actually matter when it comes to postseason success? 

According to bookies.com, the 6 youngest teams on opening day were Green Bay, LA Rams, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, LA Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles. What did all these teams have in common? They made the playoffs. In comparing playoff teams with the youngest roster to the oldest, the average age of the Packers was 25 years, 9 months, and 6 days while the Washington Commander’s was 28 years, 1 month, and 2 days even with a rookie starting quarterback. The next youngest playoff team, Denver, had an average age of 26 years, 2 months, and 17 days which is a 5 month age gap with the Packers. The oldest player on the Packers was free agent kicker Brandon McManus (33 years old) followed by linebacker Eric Wilson (29 years old) who is also a free agent. The youngest player currently on Green Bay’s roster is safety Javon Bullard (22 years old) who is paired with another safety that has tremendous potential Even Williams (23 years old). With Green Bay having as of now 7 picks in the upcoming draft, they will continue to bolster the roster with youth talent and even if they decide to bring in a veteran or two that can positively impact the team, the Packers will remain as one of the youngest teams entering 2025 with a real chance of playoff success.