Georgia football players’ opinions on why the offense didn’t perform well the previous season
As one of the top football programs in the nation, the Georgia Bulldogs consistently maintain an elite standard, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Yet, despite winning another SEC Championship and maintaining a strong presence throughout the season, Georgia’s offense faced challenges that prevented the unit from living up to its full potential. The Georgia Bulldogs offense, which has historically been known for its power running game, struggled with consistency, making fans and analysts alike question what went wrong. Some of Georgia’s players have recently opened up about the difficulties the offense faced, providing insight into why the team’s performance didn’t meet expectations.
1. Injuries to Key Players
Injuries are part of the game, but their impact was clearly felt on Georgia’s offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Stetson Bennett, while playing through pain and showing resilience, was not at full strength throughout the season. “When you’re dealing with injuries, especially in the middle of the season, it’s hard to get into any rhythm,” Bennett explained. His struggles with mobility and decision-making were evident, and despite his toughness, the offense lacked the same fluidity it had previously shown.
Wide receiver depth was also affected, with injuries limiting the Bulldogs’ ability to field a consistent receiving corps. A lack of healthy targets meant that Bennett, who was already playing with limited mobility, struggled to build chemistry with his playmakers. “We had to adjust a lot on the fly, which never helps your timing or rhythm on offense,” a senior wide receiver noted. “It’s hard to generate explosive plays when your top guys are in and out of the lineup.”
2. Offensive Line Inconsistencies
While the Georgia offensive line is often regarded as one of the best in the country, last season was a bit of an anomaly. The Bulldogs were unable to establish the same dominant run game they’d been known for in previous years, and it all started upfront. Several linemen, particularly in the interior, struggled with consistency. “There were times when we couldn’t create enough push in the running game, and that really hurt us in key situations,” said an offensive lineman who requested anonymity. The lack of a consistent push up front also impacted Bennett’s pocket protection, forcing him to rush throws or scramble more than he would have liked.
Additionally, the offensive line’s inability to protect the quarterback at times created an inconsistent offensive rhythm. Even though the unit had talent, key players struggled with communication and assignment execution. The penalties and missed assignments were costly in critical moments, especially in tight games against conference opponents.
3. Lack of Playmaking Consistency
Georgia’s offense has long been known for its balance between a powerful running game and a passing attack that could strike when needed. However, the passing game, in particular, failed to live up to expectations last season. Tight ends, who had been a focal point in previous seasons, didn’t have the same impact in 2024. “We just didn’t seem to have that one guy who could consistently create mismatches,” said one of Georgia’s tight ends, who acknowledged the unit’s underperformance. The Bulldogs’ lack of a clear go-to option in the passing game hurt their ability to sustain drives and convert on third downs.
The running game also felt the effects of this inconsistency. Despite having running backs like Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards, the Bulldogs struggled to break off explosive runs. The offensive line’s inability to open holes at times compounded the issue, leaving Georgia’s playmakers with fewer opportunities to make an impact. “We were missing those chunk plays that really open things up. If you can’t establish that, defenses can sit on the short stuff and make life harder for everyone,” noted a senior running back.
4. New Offensive Scheme Adjustment
Another factor that contributed to the struggles of the Georgia offense was the adjustment to new offensive schemes. Georgia’s offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo, returned to the program after a stint elsewhere, bringing with him a fresh set of ideas and plays. While his history in the SEC shows a strong understanding of the league’s demands, Bobo’s return came with a transition period for many players.
For players who had grown accustomed to the previous offensive playbook, the change in terminology and play calling caused a lag in execution early on in the season. “It’s hard to just snap your fingers and adjust to a new system, especially in the middle of the season,” a Georgia wide receiver said. “It takes time to feel comfortable, and at times, we were still learning the nuances of what Coach Bobo wanted from us.”
This transition, combined with injuries and personnel changes, meant that the offense was often unable to click in the way many had hoped.
5. Opposing Defenses Evolving
Georgia’s offensive struggles weren’t purely internal. A key factor in the Bulldogs’ inability to consistently perform came from the increased difficulty of facing elite SEC defenses. Teams like Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU, all with strong defenses, adjusted to Georgia’s offensive tendencies. “You could see teams starting to take away our strengths and force us into uncomfortable situations,” a Georgia running back said.
The way teams defended Georgia’s passing game was particularly noticeable. Opponents began to play more aggressive man coverage and tested Georgia’s ability to win one-on-one battles on the outside. With some of Georgia’s wideouts not emerging as reliable targets and tight ends being less of a threat, teams became more confident in their ability to take away Georgia’s playmaking options.
The Bulldogs, in turn, struggled to adjust to these new defensive schemes. Despite the talent on the roster, Georgia could not consistently produce the necessary answers when faced with strong defensive gameplans. “We had some new wrinkles we thought would work, but it was tough to execute when the defense knows exactly what you’re trying to do,” one player admitted.
6. Communication and Cohesion Issues
Another major factor that contributed to the offense’s inconsistency last season was communication breakdowns. Especially when dealing with young and inexperienced players at crucial positions, like wide receiver and along the offensive line, miscommunications on plays were common. Whether it was misreading defensive coverage or failing to identify blitz packages, these issues often led to negative plays, lost yardage, and missed opportunities.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett also reflected on the mental side of the game. “Sometimes, it was a matter of not being on the same page with the guys around me,” he said. “It’s hard to execute if the guy next to you doesn’t know his assignment or isn’t where he’s supposed to be. That’s on all of us, and we have to own it.”
7. Pressure to Maintain the Championship Standard
Perhaps the most intangible challenge was the psychological pressure of maintaining Georgia’s championship standard. After winning the national title, there was an added expectation for the offense to perform at a high level. “The expectations were through the roof,” said a senior wide receiver. “It’s hard when the entire world expects you to win, and when things don’t go perfectly, it feels like you’ve failed.”
Despite being among the top-ranked teams throughout the season, this psychological weight seemed to hinder the offense’s ability to remain focused and perform consistently under pressure. Mental mistakes, impatience, and a lack of fluidity can often be traced back to the added weight of expectations.
 Looking Forward
As Georgia looks to correct these issues in the offseason, the team’s players are taking accountability for the struggles and working towards solutions. Many of the key players are focused on getting healthy, building chemistry, and refining their understanding of the offensive scheme. The return of many experienced players, combined with the infusion of fresh talent, gives Georgia hope that the offensive struggles of last season will soon be a thing of the past.
With a championship-caliber defense and a strong recruiting class, Georgia will look to rebuild its offensive identity and return to the dominant offensive form that fans are accustomed to seeing. The Bulldogs are determined to prove that last season’s offensive struggles were a learning experience and not a trend. In a league as competitive as the SEC, Georgia’s players are ready to rise to the challenge, armed with the lessons learned from a season of adversity.
