One of the few areas that the Green Bay Packers have yet to address this offseason is upgrading a mediocre pass rush.
Despite general manager Brian Gutekunst stating earlier this offseason that the hope was Green Bay could generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks by simply rushing four, the Packers haven’t been able to land one of the top edge rushers in free agency.
How the Green Bay Packers Hope to Fix Lackluster Pass Rush
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 17, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
That leaves the NFL Draft, where the Packers are slated to pick No. 23 overall, and while the Packers could target a playmaking wide receiver to help Jordan Love, head coach Matt LaFleur believes that pass rushers make an outsized impact on the outcome of games.
“I envisioned rushing four and playing three deep, four under a heck of a lot more. And we ended up doing a lot of simulated blitzes and different pressures and playing a bunch of Cover 2,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur told reporters earlier this offseason. “But I think, again, you always evolve throughout the course of the season, through the offseason — but that was the foundation, I would say, of the defense. But I thought our guys did a great job of adjusting. I thought we were playing some pretty good football at the end.”
LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley could always alter some of their rush concepts or make schematic tweaks, but at this point, it seems the only two avenues for the Packers to upgrade the talent level significantly along the front seven and thus create the possibility of a more dynamic pass rush are either via a blockbuster trade or taking an edge rusher early in next month’s NFL Draft.
Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks on during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Aug 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur celebrates with his team during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports