New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was a driving force behind the Green Bay Packers‘ defense’s marked improvement in 2024, but for this group to take the next step, it may come down to unheralded players stepping up.
Green Bay saw an infusion of talent last offseason, on defense, with the arrival of eventual All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney and rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who garnered All-Pro votes. With the exception of moving on from Jaire Alexander, and with a glaring need to add a proven pass rusher, Green Bay is betting big that continuity with Hafley will help continue the defense’s upward trajectory.
Packers’ Best-Case Scenario Revealed
Nate Hobbs
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs / Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Over at Bleacher Report, NFL analyst Alex Ballentine suggests that while the Packers still need to add an edge rusher before the 2025 season kicks off, Green Bay’s best-case scenario involves unheralded and underachieving players making big strides to help the pass rush and secondary work in tandem.
“It likely means Lukas Van Ness enjoys a breakout season,” Ballentine writes for B/R. “The 2023 first-round pick was considered a project coming out of Iowa, and he only has seven sacks across his first two seasons. A third-year breakout would solve Green Bay’s biggest need.
“The Packers also need some answers to emerge at corner. Both Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander are gone, leaving Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs as the likely starters on the outside.”
Barring a blockbuster trade or last-minute veteran addition in the front seven, or the secondary, Hafley and the Packers could be betting the 2025 outlook on Van Ness living up to his promise and finally becoming a key contributor and young defensive backs seamlessly transitioning into more vital roles.
Lukas Van Ness, Green Bay Packers
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) is sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
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