As the 2023 season comes to a close, teams such as the Green Bay Packers are considering a perennial question that has become the subject of much examination over the years. The quandary stems from the dispute over whether the concept of “tanking” is appropriate for a professional football club, or any sports team. Whether you believe it or not, there are valid reasons on both sides.
Green Bay Packers: Potential title contender or relegated to mediocrity?
Last season, the Green Bay Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after falling to Detroit in the regular-season finale. This season, the Packers’ inconsistency may lead them down a similar path. Even earlier in the year, when the team’s troubles were more apparent, there were questions raised about whether this was a lost year and whether the squad should look ahead to 2024.
Last season, the Green Bay Packers went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after falling to Detroit in the regular-season finale. This season, the Packers’ inconsistency may lead them down a similar path. Even earlier in the year, when the team’s troubles were more apparent, there were questions raised about whether this was a lost year and whether the squad should look ahead to 2024.
Several blog postings on tanking were debated, and some of those bloggers encouraged other cheeseheads to embrace it. Even if there was some opposition to the notion, the fact that it was even considered by the fanbase suggests that some supporters are ready to forego moderate success in exchange for a strong, optimistic future. With the Green Bay Packers’ injuries stacking up, the subject of tanking will resurface.
Tanking in the NFL: Is it a good or terrible thing?
The now-famous term “trust the process” originated in the NBA, notably with the front office of the Philadelphia 76ers. The team made it abundantly clear to its audience that, while the team’s terrible play was rewarded with high-quality draft capital, the team’s poor play will eventually lead to a far better product on the court. As a result, the 76ers are now a perennial playoff team and contender, surrounded by talent led by Joel Embiid. To put it another way, despite the short-term discomfort, “trusting the process” made supporters happier in the long run.
With the exception of the NFL, this circumstance exists in practically all major competitive team sports. Poor clubs this year, like as Carolina, Arizona, and New England, have obviously had their fan bases considering tanking. As an example, the Detroit Lions have spent years in the football cellar. However, by focusing on recent first-round draft picks such as Aidan Hutchinson and Penei Sewell, the team has lately recovered and won its first division title in 30 years.
Some in sports believe that if teams chose to go down this path, it is their risk/reward decision and should not be tampered with by league offices. However, not everyone agrees. Many people believe that tanking diminishes the actual competitive spirit of athletics. However, unlike in other sports, it may be more difficult to “tank” in the NFL for a variety of reasons. The season is substantially shorter, and turning around a club with a single player is far more difficult in football than in basketball or baseball.
Green Bay Packers:
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Where will they be drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft?
So, what are the Green Bay Packers supposed to do? It appears that they are going all in on securing a playoff spot, and it’s difficult to blame them for doing so. The squad defeated Carolina 33-30 on Sunday to move to 7-8 on the season and remain in contention for a wild card position. However, if the team fails to make the playoffs, it’s difficult to picture some supporters not questioning whether tanking for a better draft pick would have been a wiser option.
