The Green Bay Packers defense is going to look very different in 2024 than it has for the better part of the last two decades. Each of the Packers’ last three defensive coordinators, Dom Capers, Mike Pettine, and Joe Barry, ran a 3-4 scheme. Jeff Hafley, the former Boston College head coach whom Matt LaFleur hired to replace Barry, has been known to run a 4-3 scheme.
The difference in defensive scheme means that the Packers’ defensive backs, namely Jaire Alexander, will get to play in more press man coverage as opposed to a soft zone. It also means that they will utilize more single-high safety looks. Of course, this makes the safety position one of their biggest needs this offseason.
Of all the players who appeared at safety for Green Bay last season, Anthony Johnson Jr. is the only one of note who is under contract for 2024. Darnell Savage, a first round pick in 2019, is a free agent after playing out his fifth-year option. Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford are both free agents after playing on one-year contracts last season.
While it is possible that both Owens and Ford are re-signed due to their value on special teams, neither one is what the team would consider a preferred starter. Clearly, the team needs to address the position in both the upcoming NFL Draft and free agency. In regards to what specific veteran they may look to sign, one insider named a former Super Bowl Champion.
Green Bay Packers Insider Suggests the Team Look to Sign Safety Jordan Fuller
In a recent mailbag article, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic was asked what free agents the Packers could possibly target this offseason. He responded:
“Safety Jordan Fuller, who had three interceptions, three forced fumbles and eight pass breakups in 17 games as a Rams captain last season. He’s 25 years old, played for new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley at Ohio State in 2019 and probably won’t be too expensive.”
Fuller was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Despite his late round status, he played in and started 12 games as a rookie and 16 games in his second season, the year Los Angeles won the Super Bowl.
After missing most of 2022 with a hamstring injury, Fuller returned in 2023 to have the best season of his career. He played in and started all 17 games, had 94 total tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and eight passes defended.
Additionally, opposing quarterbacks had a 63.0% completion percentage when targeting Fuller to go with a 86.0 passer rating.
According to PFF, Fuller was also a solid run defender, posting a 75.0 grade on the season.
Fuller’s familiarity with Hafley certainly is an edge the Packers have over other teams when free agent negotiations can begin. He already knows Hafley’s scheme, which would be helpful as the rest of the team and whoever gets drafted will need to learn it.
Fuller is definitely a name that would make a ton of sense for the Packers this offseason. We’ll see what happens.
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