Packers Still Have A Lot Of Work To Do To Fix Big Weakness

The Packers have invested meaningful resources in surrounding quarterback Jordan Love with electrifying weapons over the past several offseasons, but may be about to pay the price for not replicating that success on defense.

While Matthew Golden and Savion Williams join a receiver room that already includes Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks in an offense that boasts playmakers like Josh Jacobs and Tucker Kraft, Green Bay’s defense doesn’t have nearly the star power and at some key positions lacks quality depth.

Packers Pass Rush a Major Worry

Green Bay Packers Lukas Van Ness — Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) waits in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

As the 2025 season approaches, the Packers’ pass rush remains among the bigger concerns on the roster.

NFL Media’s Jeffri Chadiha says that improving the pass rush with the players on the roster, figures to be defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and the Packers’ biggest challenge this season.

“Green Bay didn’t do much to address [the pass rush] in the offseason,” Chadiha writes of the Packers. “Except to say that better results are expected. The Packers need edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, their 2023 first-round pick, to be more than the player who has amassed just seven sacks in two seasons. They need Rashan Gary to play more like the dominant presence who earned a $96 million contract extension in 2023.

“They also need one defensive tackle to rebound from a down year (Kenny Clark), another to stay healthy (Devonte Wyatt) and rookie Barryn Sorrell to grow up fast. Green Bay’s defense improved substantially in the secondary last year with the arrival of coordinator Jeff Hafley. It’s time for the guys up front to do more.”

Green Bay Packers, Rashan Gary Packers news Packers defense — Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates the sack against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Green Bay is clearly betting that Rashan Gary makes big strides in his seventh NFL season, but to date, Van Ness hasn’t amounted to a player anywhere close to living up to his billing as a No. 13 overall draft pick.

If the Packers don’t see their edge rushers make meaningful progress this summer, the onus may be on Hafley to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks using scheme over relying on talent. That could be a dicy proposition for Green Bay in 2025.