Just two games remain in the 2018 season for the Green Bay Packers

https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Jamaal-Williams-Jersey , but offseason predictions are already under way with the Packers in need of a new head coach and holding plenty of money to play with in free agency.But before we get to talking about the Packers’ plans for 2019, the team is in a difficult position in having to make a decision on whether or not to play Aaron Rodgers over the remainder of the current season.And how about the peculiar Northwestern connection to this season’s Packer roster?I took a look at each of these storylines, as well as the chances of a notable defensive player returning to the Packers next season, in this weekend’s musings.The Packers have four former Northwestern players and the school’s head coach may be on the market.Over a given year, an NFL team will add a medley of undrafted and street free agents. But over the past year in particular, Green Bay has been active in adding players from Northwestern via those routes.Packer President and CEO Mark Murphy was the school’s Athletic Director from 2003 to 2007 and, while much of this might be a coincidence, Green Bay has not been shy to bring in former Wildcats. The Packers drafted Dean Lowry in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and, since the conclusion of the 2018 NFL Draft, have signed defensive tackle Tyler Lancaster, safety Ibraheim Campbell, and fullback Danny Vitale. In search of a new head coach, the Packers certainly could look to another individual with Northwestern ties - current head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, originally hired by Murphy at Northwestern, would complete a recent surge of Wildcat products to the Green and Gold.My take on Aaron Rodgers playing out the last two gamesInjuries are always a risk and the Packers will not be contending for the postseason over the final two weeks of the season. But I am a strong believer that Green Bay should trot Rodgers on to the field anyway. Over the past several seasons, getting to watch Rodgers play has been far from a guarantee and it is still something that brings entertainment to Packer fans. The slightest possibility of him getting shelved for the season has already led to Rodgers being a limited practice participant this season and a rare sighting in preseason games. In a way, his lack of chemistry with receivers this season may be a byproduct of that conservative handling, especially in a season with first-year receivers and tight ends. Giving Rodgers an extra two weeks of meaningful game reps with players like Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow, J’mon Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling could pay some dividends heading into the offseason, as all have a very real chance of being on the 53-man roster again. In addition, sitting Rodgers sends a signal to the rest of the team that there is little left to play for and that he is bigger than the team. If other key players like David Bakhtiari and Davante Adams have to put themselves in harm’s way Dean Lowry Jersey , Rodgers should have to as well. In a year where Rodgers has been blasted for being self-centered, this would seemingly be another negative spot heading into the offseason break.Clay Matthews may be back with Green Bay in 2019Throughout the year, I tended to cast away any notion that the Packers would re-sign Matthews after this season. Now, I’m starting to re-think.The stats are not glamorous for Matthews with just 3.5 sacks in 2018, but he’s been much more active in pressuring the quarterback this year. A lot of that has to do with Matthews’ health and a lot has to do with having a better plan systematically to line him up in ways that his skillset can still be dangerous. Green Bay will definitely bolster its edge rushing talent externally in the offseason. But Matthews will not be commanding anywhere near the almost-$10.5 million salary he is currently earning. As more of a situational pass rusher at age 32, Matthews may be open to a team-friendly deal after 10 seasons in Green Bay if the Packers’ new or returning defensive coordinator sees his value.But with Green Bay having such little depth at the position, the odds of Matthews being in a Green Bay uniform next season might be higher than that of Nick Perry, who is currently under contract. Practices are over in Mobile, and Senior Bowl week is coming to a close. Many of the media members and NFL scouts take off after practice concludes on Thursday afternoon, but there is still a game to be played, which is all that most fans will get to see of the week.In that game, there are numerous players who project as good fits for the Green Bay Packers at a multitude of positions. After seeing who impressed (and who didn’t) in practice this week, let’s take a look through the North and South rosters to find some of the top players who should intrigue general manager Brian Gutekunst and his scouting staff.OffenseWide ReceiversDeebo Samuel, South Carolina (#1, South team)Samuel has been tearing it up in practice, solidifying himself as a bona fide second-day draft prospect. He had a big year as a Senior, with 882 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he’s a solidly built player who can go over the middle. However, his route-running looks terrific, something that should make him very intriguing for Packers fans, and he will likely test very well at the Combine.Terry McLaurin, Ohio State (#10, North team)The Buckeye wideout ranked third on his team in receiving yards and fourth in total catches this season Kentrell Brice Color Rush Jersey , but his 11 touchdown catches were just one score behind Parris Campbell for the team lead and he by far led the way in yards per catch at 20. While Campbell is the more explosive player, McLaurin would be a good depth receiver and can provide plenty of experience on special teams as well.Penny Hart, Georgia State (#18, North team)The 5-foot-8, 180-pount Hart is almost a carbon copy of Taylor Gabriel, current Bears and former Falcons receiver. As Zach Kruse of Packers Wire astutely noted on Twitter, Gabriel’s best season came with the Falcons in 2016 with Kyle Shanahan as the offensive coordinator and Matt LaFleur as Atlanta’s quarterbacks coach. It’s not hard to imagine LaFleur using Hart similarly; he was a high-volume, high-production player for much of his career at Georgia State, with 1,000-yard seasons as a freshman and a junior.Andy Isabella, UMass (#5, North team)At 5-foot-9 and 186 pounds, Isabella looks the part of a slot receiver, but he has deep-threat speed. He claims that he was timed at 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard dash recently, and says that he works out with Randy Moss. Isabella had a huge year in 2018, with 102 catches, 1,698 yards, and 13 touchdowns, plus another score on the ground. Like Hart, he could be a great fit to help replace Randall Cobb if the veteran does not re-sign with the Packers.Tight EndsFoster Moreau, LSU (#18, South team)APC’s Owen Riese has been high on Moreau this week https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Geronimo-Allison-Jersey , so keep an eye on him. This group of tight ends will be overshadowed by a huge group of talented underclassmen, but Moreau sounds like he has had the best week of practice of the batch.Donald Parham, Stetson (#49, North team)Stetson’s build will jump out on the field — he’s a shade over 6-foot-8 and 243 pounds. Just imagine that build going up for deep balls up the seam from Aaron Rodgers.Offensive LinemenDalton Risner, Kansas State (#71, North team)The versatile Risner will probably start out at tackle in the NFL, but he could definitely move inside. He’s got some nasty to him, too — a fight between him and Boston College defensive end Zach Allen was one of the top moments of Thursday’s practice.Tytus Howard, Alabama State (#58, South team)The former quarterback bulked up like crazy in college and is a potential top-100 pick in April. Don’t be fooled too much by this bad rep against Montez Sweat (more on him shortly) — Howard has reportedly practiced well for the most part, and that could help make him a mid-round candidate for Green Bay.Michael Dieter, Wisconsin (#63, North team)Although Dieter primarily played center and guard for the Badgers, he does have a year of starting experience at left tackle, which could appeal to NFL teams. He’s almost certainly going to stay inside at the next level, but his versatility should make him an intriguing pick somewhere around round three.DefenseDefensive LinemenRenell Wren, Arizona State (#95, North team)A huge body at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Wren has been wrecking opposing linemen for much of the week. He projects as an interior penetrator, a great fit for the Packers who tend to use two down linemen on most plays.Edge RushersMontez Sweat, Mississippi State (#9, South team)The top pass-rusher this week has been Sweat, the former Michigan State transfer who has been mocked to the Packers with either one of their first-round picks at times. This week’s practices have only served to keep Sweat’s stock moving upward Oren Burks Jersey , and he’s getting a little bit of top-10 buzz. At 6-foot-6 and around 250 pounds, he has perfect size as a 3-4 outside linebacker, a position he’s familar with thanks to the Bulldogs’ multiple defensive scheme.Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech (#45, South team)The NCAA’s all-time sack leader is in Mobile, and he’s also getting some first-round buzz this week. I asked SB Nation draft analyst Dan Kadar for some breakdown about the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Ferguson:SafetiesJohnathan Abram, Mississippi State (#38, South team)APC’s Shawn Wagner broke down Abram recently, and it’s worth clicking over to that writeup to learn the basics on him. He’ll be one of the best safeties in Saturday’s game.Nasir Adderley, Delaware (#23, North team)Shawn really likes safeties, writing up a piece on Adderley this week as well. One respected analyst, Tony Pauline, does not see him as a first- or second-round pick, but another suggested that he has been playing out of position. Adderley’s best fit is probably as a deep free safety, but if he has been playing more press, that could explain his struggles in Mobile.CornerbacksRock Ya-Sin, Temple (#6, South team)His name is amazing. He also has huge hands (10-1/4 inches) and long arms (32-3/8) for a 6-foot corner. He transferred to Temple as a senior and recorded two interceptions, and he could be in play as a top-100 pick.