In defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s first season with the Packers, his defense was one of the top units in the entire league.
However, likely his best player on the defensive line struggled to stay at his best because of a recurring foot injury.
Kenny Clark Was Not Healthy
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To put the season performance for the Packers in perspective, on defense, they were ranked as the sixth-best total defense (315.6 yards allowed per game), the seventh-best run defense (99.4 yards allowed per game), and their 45 sacks were tied for eighth-best.
They accomplished all of that without a healthy Kenny Clark, who spoke to the media recently about how he battled a foot injury all season long.
Here is what No. 97 had to say:
“It was a tough year for me. I had surgery on my foot in January…I hurt it in the Brazil game.”
> Kenny Clark said he had foot surgery in January. Injured his foot in opener against Eagles and played through it all year. How much did the injury affect him last fall?
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> “A lot.” [pic.twitter.com/pZpRxOlmLZ](https://t.co/pZpRxOlmLZ)
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> — Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) [June 3, 2025](https://twitter.com/ByRyanWood/status/1929990724776538315?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
That Brazil game did a number on the Packers, as both quarterback Jordan Love and Clark suffered significant injuries in the team’s season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Expect a Reinvigorated Kenny Clark in 2025
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It really is amazing how the Packers’ defense was able to produce without Clark being completely healthy along the line.
He is going into his 10th and age-30 NFL season (all with the Packers), so he has been the heart and soul in the trenches for the organization for a while.
Two seasons ago, he had the best season of his career, as he recorded career-highs in sacks (7.5), quarterback hits (16), and he tied a career-high in tackles for loss (9).
Of course, the Packers ended up making it to within a fourth quarter of a potential NFC Championship Game appearance that year.
Last season, although the team appeared to be better, seeing as it won 11 games overall, it did fall short in the playoffs.
If healthy and playing at his best, Clark is one of the best interior defensive linemen in the entire National Football League.
His presence and abilities up front can change the trajectory of any game, which is why it is paramount that his foot remains healthy heading into the most important year of his career.