The Green Bay Packers are one of the most exciting teams in the NFL as the 2024 regular season approaches. After going 9-8 and making the postseason in Jordan Love‘s first year as their starting quarterback, the Packers and their fans expect even higher levels of success this upcoming season (especially since Love signed a four-year $220 million contract).
Of course, the Packers needed to make some significant changes on both their roster and coaching staff in order to set themselves up to reach those levels. On defense, that meant firing unpopular and embattled defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
During Barry’s three seasons in Green Bay, fans were frustrated with his non-aggressive tactics, inability to gameplan for strong running teams, and dropping pass rushers (particularly Preston Smith) into coverage. Towards the end of last season, it was more and more apparent that the players had grown tired of his scheme as well.
The Green Bay Packers Replaced Joe Barry with Jeff Hafley
As fans are well-aware by now, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur decided to replace Barry with former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley. Hafley had previously coached defensive backs in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
One of the big changes Hafley is making is switching Green Bay’s defensive base from a 3-4 to a 4-3. He also has encouraged his front seven to think less and create more havoc in the backfield during practice.
So far, many Packers defensive players have voiced their support and fondness for the new defensive scheme.
During OTA’s, Preston Smith was asked if he was being used any differently in the system compared to how he was used in Barry’s system. He responded, “Yeah, man. Finally, I’m out here rushing more and I get to get after the quarterback a whole lot more. I just love the system.”
At the end of May, Jaire Alexader was asked about how the communication between coaches and players is different compared to last year. He said, “I wouldn’t say it was missing, but it wasn’t as easy as it is with this new staff. They’ve been great.”
Green Bay Packers All-Pro Keisean Nixon Takes a Veiled Shot at Joe Barry
The Packers are just about ready to begin the 2024 regular season. They have one more preseason game, this one against the Baltimore Ravens, left before the defense gets to show just how much it has improved since last year.
After joint practice with the Ravens, All-Pro kick returner Keisean Nixon (who is also the team’s nickel back) praised Green Bay’s defensive line, but also took a subtle jab at his former defensive coordinator:
Keisean Nixon on Green Bay’s D-line with the season approaching:
“We know we got dogs up front and we finally get to unleash them.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 22, 2024
“We know we got dogs up front and we finally get to unleash them,” Nixon said as noted in the post above. This was a reference to how safe Barry played it on defense, forcing players to think too much and react too slowly to the play that was developing in front of them.
With such an aggressive scheme, the Packers may give up a big play from time to time, but it will also (hopefully) lead to more sacks, tackles for loss, and turnovers.
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