The Green Bay Packers were one of the most surprising teams in the NFL last season. Jordan Love, who took over as the starting quarterback following the Packers’ trade of Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, overcame a slow start to the 2023 season to have the best first season by a starter in Green Bay’s long history. So too, the team’s first and second year pass catchers overcame inconsistent starts to help lead the Packers back to the postseason.
The Green Bay defense, however, was terribly inconsistent all season long. What was the most disappointing part of this was that, with the youth movement on offense, the defense was supposed to be their strength. It was not, and former defensive coordinator Joe Barry lost his job as a result. With new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the former head coach at Boston College, big changes are in store for the Green Bay defense.
The Green Bay Packers Have Some Holes to Fill on Defense
The Packers made waves among NFL free agency watchers over the weekend when they released 2021 All-Pro linebacker De’Vondre Campbell. The move will save Green Bay over $10 million in cap space over the next two seasons, but leave them thin at the linebacker position.
Isaiah McDuffie, who played for Hafley at Boston College, played well last season filling in for Campbell and Quay Walker when they were down with injuries. While he is a good option, and an obvious coach favorite, to play middle linebacker in Hafley’s 4-3 system, it does not change the fact that Green Bay needs some linebacker depth.
There is, however, one particular need on defense that is even more of a glaring hole.
The Green Bay Packers Need a Safety (or Two)
In addition to parting ways with Campbell, the Packers also are not bringing back safety Darnell Savage, who was a first round pick by Green Bay in 2019. Savage struggled with injuries this past season and has not performed well on the field since 2020.
Green Bay is also facing the possibility of losing veteran safeties Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford. However, while the Packers would like to retain each of them , they are best suited for special teams, not as every down safeties.
The only player on the current roster that Green Bay might want to use as a every down safety is Anthony Johnson Jr., who was a seventh round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In his case, the Packers would probably like a veteran or two playing alongside/ahead of him as he continues to develop.
The Green Bay Packers Are Hosting Free Agent Safety Rayshawn Jenkins
According to Tom Silverstein of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers are hosting coveted free agent safety Rayshawn Jenkins:
#Packers reportedly hosting #Jaguars S Rayshawn Jenkins, per PFT. Jenkins is free to sign with anyone because he was cut.#Packers also sign TE Tyler Davis, per @RobDemovsky.
Listed him as one of the FAs the #Packers want to re-sign. CB/KOR Keisean Nixon is the priority.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) March 11, 2024
Jenkins previously visited with the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.
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