You’ve probably read at least a dozen Zone Coverage articles on how the Green Bay Packers should approach the offseason to stay competitive in 2025. With that in mind, I’m stepping back for an outside-the-box piece designed to entertain and create good vibes.
I’m casting the Packers as The Last of Us characters.
The Last of Us Part I is a 2013 action-adventure game, followed by The Last of Us Part II in 2020. It was later adapted into an HBO series, with the first season premiering in early 2023 and the second set to release in April 2025.
Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, the story revolves around survivors navigating a world overrun by humans infected by a deadly, brain-altering Cordyceps fungus.
The Packers live in a completely different world than the one presented in The Last of Us. Still, there are some similarities between certain characters and figures who’ve spent time in Green Bay over the years.
Some of the characters I mention below have yet to be introduced in the television series. (Some spoilers ahead.)
Without further ado, let’s cast some of these players and coaches.
Jordan Love as Joel Miller
Joel is a survivor who lost his daughter during the outbreak but still finds a way to push through relentless adversity. Love spent three years learning behind Aaron Rodgers, then they threw him into action when Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19.
With less than four days to prepare, Love faced one of the best defensive minds in Steve Spagnuolo. Joel may not be flashy, but his determination to get the job done mirrors Love’s focus. He never blinks or shows frustration; he only focuses on the next play.
Jaire Alexander as Ellie
Like Alexander, Ellie combines swag, confidence, skill, and a bit of cockiness – but she always backs it up. In the game, Ellie’s immunity to the fungus is crucial to developing a vaccine to save humanity. For the Packers, Alexander is the glue that holds the cornerback room together. When he tore his PCL, Green Bay struggled to cover receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison.
Christian Watson as Tommy Miller
Tommy is Joel’s younger brother. He is loyal and always ready to play his role, even if he’s not the focal point. Similarly, Christian Watson embodies this spirit for Green Bay. Despite having only the fifth-most targets on the team, Watson was out there every week putting on a blocking clinic. He never complained about the lack of targets and was always willing to do what was best for the team.
Joe Barry as David
This is probably the comparison you’d not want to hear but listen: David seemed to have control, with followers buying into his leadership.
But the truth is, it was a disaster.
The Packers were a top-10 defense in yards allowed in 2021. However, over the next two years, they made quarterbacks like Bailey Zappe, Daniel Jones, Taylor Heinicke, Zach Wilson, Ryan Tannehill, Desmond Ridder, Jimmy Garoppolo, Kenny Pickett, and Tommy DeVito look competent.
Matt LaFleur as Marlene
Marlene was the leader of the Fireflies. She faced tough decisions and the pressure of guiding a group through chaos.
LaFleur has had to manage the league’s youngest roster, knowing that the media and fans will analyze and judge every move. Marlene and LaFleur are simply trying to keep things moving in the right direction.
T.J. Slaton as Abby
There’s no other way to put it: Abby is buff. I’m casting T.J. Slaton as Abby because when I ran into Green Bay’s defensive line room in a mall in São Paulo, Slaton was the mountain of the group, even among some seriously big guys.
Dontayvion Wicks as Lev
Lev is young but has a lot of potential. He’s still learning how to navigate the world around him. Wicks had the highest drop rate among receivers, with at least 50 targets in 2024. He knows how to beat man coverage. If he can resolve his drop issues, he could become a dangerous weapon for Jordan Love.