Wednesday Cheese Curds, 11/3: Packers’ midseason vibes are riding high on all fronts

With a 7-1 record, a schedule that looks to be easier than expected, a number of key players on their way back from injury, and a happy quarterback, what’s not to like about the Packers right now?

It’s a good time to be a fan of the Green Bay Packers.

The team is riding high, sitting atop the NFC standings at 7-1. They just knocked off the league’s last unbeaten team last Thursday and with a few extra days of rest, they have a chance for another statement game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

But this team has also dealt with a swath of injuries so far this season, and many of the players who have missed time appear on track to return — some as early as this week. That’s a group that includes the likes of David Bakhtiari, Davante Adams, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the short term, with Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith eyeing a return to the field later on this fall.

And as the Packers continue to make improvements around the margins of the roster by bringing in established veteran players, their quarterback is expressing his happiness with the front office. Aaron Rodgers’ main gripes this offseason seemed to be centered around the Packers not making these types of moves, but his recent comments suggest that he’s very pleased with the progress his relationship has had with general manager Brian Gutekunst. Whether Rodgers deserves any direct credit for signings like Rasul Douglas or Whitney Mercilus, the fact remains that Gutekunst has been more willing to give veterans a shot this season than in the past, and the likelihood of Rodgers returning for 2022 (and beyond?) feels like it is increasing by the week.

So let’s take a few moments today to appreciate the fun that this season has been over the first half of the year and to get a little excited for a second half that should provide plenty more exciting moments — and hopefully a long playoff run.

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There must be a reason that the Packers aren’t using AJ Dillon much at the goal line. Maybe it’s because Aaron Jones has been so good there in the past, but at some point, it would be nice to see Dillon get a few extra carries.

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De’Vondre Campbell has been a revelation for this team, but is he really the team MVP when you have Aaron Rodgers on the roster and playing great? What say you?

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Ruggs III faces felony charges of DUI resulting in death and reckless driving after he was involved in a two-vehicle accident that left a woman dead early Tuesday morning. The Raiders released him late Tuesday night.

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