(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The biggest reason many are high on the Green Bay Packers’ prospects this season is the number of rising and potential stars they have on offense.
Quarterback Jordan Love has been pegged as the NFL’s newest elite quarterback, and they have four ascendant wide receivers in Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Christian Watson.
Their defense also has some studs, yet it seemed to have some holes last season.
But the Packers have a couple of new additions on defense and a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley, who had previously been a defensive backs coach for three different teams, and analyst Brian Baldinger said on NFL Network that their defense is “going to be much more aggressive.”
“I think it’s going to be much more aggressive.” @BaldyNFL believes the @packers defense is going to show out this season. pic.twitter.com/aCRga8RBEK
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 30, 2024
Baldinger expects a defense that will pressure opposing wide receivers closer to the line of scrimmage, and he feels pass rusher Rashan Gary will be playing a big role in this new defense.
Gary, 26, has been gradually improving over the last few years, and in 2023, he posted 9.0 sacks, 22 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss.
Green Bay also has capable pass rushers in Kenny Clark, who made the Pro Bowl last year, and Preston Smith.
They made a significant addition during the offseason in Xavier McKinney, who should play a key role in Hafley’s defensive packages.
McKinney broke up 11 pass attempts and had three interceptions and 116 total tackles (78 solo) in 2023, which was his fourth season in the NFL.
Defense will be key for a Packers team that plays in an improved NFC North division and a conference that is slowly getting better, and they will need to focus on that side of the football if they are to meet the high expectations many have for them.
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