The Green Bay Packers defense is under a great deal of pressure to perform well in 2023. As much pressure as the national media (and some fans) want to put on Jordan Love and the offense, the fact of the matter is that expectations for the offense are tempered as they move on from Aaron Rodgers. The defense, on the other hand, is composed of eight first round picks and has underperformed for years.
Related: Green Bay Packers: NFL Analyst Claims Joe Barry Is Under More Pressure than Jordan Love in 2023
Once again, the Packers used their first round pick on a defensive player: pass rusher Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa. Van Ness joins a stout edge rushing group that includes Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Justin Hollins, and Kingsley Enagbare. However, Gary may not be ready for the start of the regular season as he recovers from an ACL injury. Last season proved that Green Bay can never have too much depth at edge rusher, which is why one writer suggests the team pursue three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney in free agency.
Should the Green Bay Packers Pursue Jadeveon Clowney?
“The Lions made Charles Harris into an impact player last year, why not do the same thing with Clowney? The Packers probably have the strongest edge group in the division, but they’re missing the type of edge who can drop into the flat on simulated pressures or creepers and fill in until Rashan Gary is 100%…”
Clowney was limited to just 12 games last season and recorded just 2.0 sacks. However, in 2021, he had 9.0 sacks in 14 games with the Cleveland Browns. Clowney is 30 years old and is not likely to get a major long-term deal at this point. As the offseason goes on, his price tag will keep on falling. If Gary is not going to be ready by Week One, Clowney would be an excellent depth addition.
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