Former NFL scout and current NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah often says a championship-caliber team needs to have five foundations: A quarterback, two quality pass-rushers, three quality playmakers on offense, three quality playmakers on defense and three quality offensive linemen. It’s a long list. But that’s to be expected; putting together a team capable of winning the Super Bowl is hard.

The Green Bay Packers are entering a difficult offseason laced with uncertainty, but the foundation of the roster is strong.

Of course, quarterback is a huge question mark. The Packers can check the box if four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers returns. There’s no way to know if Jordan Love can check the box entering Year 3.

The quarterback position needs time to play out. What about the rest of the roster’s foundation?

Outside linebacker Rashan Gary and defensive lineman Kenny Clark give the Packers two dynamite pass-rushers. Gary emerged as one of the most productive edge rushers in football in 2021, while Clark has consistently ranked among the best interior pass-rushers over the last three or four seasons. Veteran Preston Smith, who had a career-best 62 pressures this past season and remains under contract, gives the Packers a third. Za’Darius Smith’s future is much more uncertain.

Dynamic running back Aaron Jones is one offensive playmaker. He’s created at least 1,000 total yards and scored 10 touchdowns in three straight seasons. Two-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams, if he returns, is another, obviously. The Packers could give him the franchise tag to make sure he stays. Bulldozing running back A.J. Dillon might be approaching playmaker status. He led the team in rushing and went over 1,000 total yards in Year 2. At this point, the offense could use one more legitimate weapon, either at receiver or tight end. Not having a legitimate third playmaker hurt the Packers at times in 2021.

Defensive playmaker? All-Pro Jaire Alexander will return healthy in 2022. Eric Stokes could easily emerge as a playmaking sidekick to Alexander as a second-year player, especially after a very encouraging rookie season. Gary is a playmaker. Clark is a playmaker. The Packers may have to pick between retaining All-Pro linebacker De’Vondre Campbell or interception leader Rasul Douglas, but there’s a decent chance at least one will return. Adrian Amos isn’t always flashy, but he has eight interceptions in three seasons. This defense has playmakers, especially against the pass.

The offensive line has some question marks. Will David Bakhtiari return to an All-Pro level after missing almost a full season? Can Elgton Jenkins return from the same injury and be a dominant player again? Billy Turner’s future isn’t settled, but he has to be considered a quality offensive lineman. Josh Myers could get there in Year 2. Jon Runyan probably already ascended to quality status as a second-year player.

Even if we stripped away the players with uncertain futures, the Packers would have two quality pass-rushers, at least one (but probably two) offensive playmaker, at least three defensive playmakers, and at least two (but probably at least three) quality offensive linemen.

None of it really matters unless the quarterback box is checked off, and the Packers have a legitimate question mark there. But the rest of the roster’s foundation has strong pieces.

With Rodgers, only a handful of teams could match what the Packers have at the premium roster spots. Without him, the Packers could gain the draft capital or player compensation necessary to fill in the rest of the holes in the foundation.

The big test for general manager Brian Gutekunst this offseason will be finding the right players to build on the foundation. Last year’s team was deep and experienced at key spots; the 2021 team likely won’t be.

But in terms of roster building, it’s much easier to find and acquire depth than to find and acquire foundational players.

At the very least, the Packers will go into the offseason needing to find an offensive playmaker and another quality offensive lineman. The Rodgers decision will make or break the foundation in 2022, but the Packers could be in much worse shape.