The Green Bay Packers have a great deal of buzz surrounding their team going into the 2024 NFL season. Last year, Jordan Love led the youngest offense in the NFL to a Wild Card spot and an upset win over the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the Playoffs. Now that he and his young group of pass catchers have a year of playing together under their belt, they are expected to take a major step forward this upcoming season.
There is also a great deal of optimism surrounding the defense this upcoming season, in large part because Joe Barry was fired as defensive coordinator following the 2023 season. In his place, Green Bay has hired former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley, who is changed the Packers’ scheme from a 3-4 to a 4-3.
While there have not been many chances (yet) for Packers fans and media members to hear Hafley speak and to watch the players practice, everything that has been said so far has created the belief that the defense will be much more aggressive than in the past.
Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley Wants Strong Play from the Front Seven

Earlier this month, Packers rookies and tryout hopefuls reported to Green Bay for rookie mini camp. During this phase of offseason activities, Packers fans and media members were treated to the first press conference Hafley gave as the team’s new defensive coordinator.
During his interview, Hafley revealed that the mantra for his defense will be “run and hit,” saying that he does not want to play passive. He wants his front seven to make quarterbacks and running backs uncomfortable in the backfield instead of waiting to react.
Jason Rebrovich, the Packers’ new defensive line coach, was quoted earlier this offseason saying, “I’m not trying to correlate football with war or anything like that, but we’re the Navy SEALS. We’re the first line of defense. The rest of the guys are going to sit back there and do what they need to do.”
This attitude is certainly welcome news for fans, but it is also an exciting philosophy for the players as well.
Green Bay Packers Defensive Tackle Devonte Wyatt Has Big Expectations for Himself’

Devonte Wyatt did not see the field much as a rookie in 2022, playing just 23% of the defense’s snaps. He logged 1.5 sacks and 15 tackles during that time.
Last year, however, his usage went up to 50% of defensive snaps. His numbers, though, went up at an even higher rate. Wyatt had 5.5 sacks and 36 tackles in his second season.
Now that the Packers have a new defensive coordinator who wants his front seven to be more aggressive, Wyatt believes that he will be able to be even better in 2024.
According to Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal, Wyatt said:
“It’s time for a monster leap. Yes sir. A monster leap.
“Me personally, I think (the scheme change) will be good. It will help me focus on one thing and not a lot of things. Just go — instead of thinking about doing certain things.”
Wyatt had 5.5 sacks as an interior lineman playing in a system he was not comfortable in. One can only imagine what he will be able to do playing with Hafley’s aggressive approach.
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