The Green Bay Packers are hoping that the 2024 season will be the first time in years where the defense matches (or even outplays) the offense. Most of Aaron Rodgers’ tenure in Green Bay the offense had to put up a ton of points to win games. That’s not to say the Packers’ defense didn’t hold its own at times, but fans certainly held their breath any time the defense needed to get a stop to win the game.
Over the last few seasons the pre-season expectations of the defense has been sky high. By mid-season it was clear the defense wouldn’t be a top 5 unit (like many had hoped).
However, 2024 could be different with new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. One Packers player is certainly excited for what is coming this year.
One Green Bay Packers Starter Had A Lot To Say About The New Defense
After firing Joe Barry at the defensive coordinator position, the Packers hired former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley. Everything seems to be starting extremely well. Hafley’s leadership and schematic abilities have been well received by players.
Among all the descriptions, cornerback Keisean Nixon’s on Up and Adams Show had one of the best ones:
According to Wendell Ferreria of A to Z Sports:
“Haf is a cool dude. Short guy, so he’s kinda got that little man syndrome, I think, but he’s competitive as hell,” Nixon jokingly said. “He goes at Matt LaFleur, that’s something new for me. He brings the best out of us. His defense is ready to go for sure.”
It’s still early to be sure about how the new defensive scheme will work, but players are mostly happy with the attitude. Nixon mentioned how practice has been good regarding Hafley’s approach to Matt LaFleur.
“He’s not scared of the head coach being an offensive guy,” Nixon said. “Haf came in right away, blitzing on third down, he was ready to go.”
After two consecutive one-year deals with the Packers, Keisean Nixon has finally signed a longer-term contract. In the offseason, he agreed to sign a three-year deal that can go up to $18 million. Part of the decision to stay in Green Bay was the potential he saw talking to Hafley.
“We’ve had big conversations, that’s one of the reasons why I came back,” Nixon added. “Jeff is a competitive guy, he’s a defensive backs coach also, so he brings that. I’d never had my DC be a DB guy too. I think it’s a great idea, I think it was a great decision.”
The Packers built a defensive coaching staff that specialized in secondary defense this off-season. Besides defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who previously coached defensive backs in the NFL, the staff includes passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley and defensive back coach Ryan Downard.
All of this pre-season hype is exciting, but for Packers fans, until they see it on the field there will always be skeptics.
