The Green Bay Packers have long been proponents of zone coverage in their base defense. But here’s the kicker: It’s not quite the impenetrable fortress it was supposed to be. Lately, it’s like there’s an open invite for receivers to stroll through the middle and up the seams. They’ve essentially become VIP lanes. Defenders look lost and are missing tackles left and right.
Green Bay’s defense has maintained a “bend but don’t break” mantra, sticking to zone coverage like glue to prevent explosive plays. It’s been their go-to strategy to prevent the opposition from executing home-run plays. The problem is that the defense is starting to bend … and break. Last week, Baker Mayfield had a perfect passer rating against Green Bay’s defense, slicing through the supposedly sturdy zone. If that wasn’t enough, Bryce Young toyed with Joe Barry’s defense in the second half on Sunday, putting up career-best numbers in a season where he has struggled.
The Packers feel like they’re married to zone defense, but that defense is beginning to fail because the coaching staff is not making adjustments. Barry revealed this issue earlier in the season, shedding light on the deficiency in having essential “checks” for specific offensive formations. Barry acknowledged the problem after the Las Vegas Raiders game. On one notable play, Barry tasked Preston Smith with covering Davante Adams, underscoring the urgency for the Packers to address and rectify these coverage lapses.
After the game, Barry said it wasn’t as easy as shifting coverages.
“I wish it was that easy. We called a coverage that required Preston to drop, and he happened to be a boundary dropper, and they happened to put Tae at slot into the boundary. Sometimes you’ll have mechanisms, you have checks or things built in where you can get out of that. Based on the personnel we were in, and the personnel they were in, we didn’t have that mechanism.”
Green Bay’s coverage conundrum in Vegas isn’t a one-time hiccup. It’s been a recurring headache all season. Take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, for instance. Even as Mayfield picked it apart, the Packers stuck to their zone coverage strategy. Defenders found themselves perpetually out of position, and linebackers had to cover speedy receivers. Therefore, the secondary had to primarily deal with running backs and tight ends. De’Vondre Campbell allowed the most yards in zone coverage by a Packers linebacker since 2006.
Against the Buccaneers, the Packers clung steadfastly to their zone coverage strategy for the entire game. It backfired spectacularly. Receivers found wide-open spaces in the middle of the field with alarming ease. Barry justified this approach with the “Mike Evans factor,” acknowledging the future Hall of Famer’s impact. Fair enough, but the real issue unfolded as the Packers failed to contain everyone else, including Evans, who still managed to score a touchdown. Barry stubbornly stuck to the same soft zone throughout the game, allowing the Buccaneers to move the ball effortlessly.
Adaptability is critical in the NFL, and the Packers aren’t adapting. Green Bay’s inability to adjust mid-game is a glaring weakness in its defensive playbook, costing them dearly on the field.
Green Bay’s cornerbacks are capable of playing man coverage. With Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Carrington Valentine, they’ve got a trio of corners who excel in tight man-to-man situations. Why not unleash their strengths? Let these cornerbacks disrupt the receiver’s rhythm at the line of scrimmage and trust them to build their own islands. If successful, that strategy is a game-changer. The Packers have one of the league’s best pass rushes when rushing four players. Allowing their corners to play to their strengths would enhance Green Bay’s coverage and set the stage for the pass rush to feast.
Barry deviated from the usual script against the Panthers, mixing up defensive approaches. He occasionally opted for coverage while he dialed up the pressure against Young in other instances. Young had a field day when the defense dropped back, going 15/19 in non-blitz situations. Young exploited breakdowns in Green Bay’s zone defense between the linebackers and the secondary in throws spanning the 10- to 19-yard range. He finished 11/17 with two touchdowns in such scenarios.
Barry decided to unleash the blitz, opting for a season-high 44% blitz rate on dropbacks against Young, which changed the game’s dynamics. Young struggled under pressure in the first three quarters, completing three of 10 passes. However, he showcased resilience and effectiveness in the fourth quarter, completing four out of six passes and throwing for two touchdowns. Moreover, Barry used man coverage on 64% of dropbacks. In the first three quarters, Young connected on eight of 15 attempts for 98 yards. But he excelled in the fourth quarter, going 7/9 for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite Barry’s adjustments, it became evident that Young could still make impactful plays under duress. The underlying issues of miscommunications in zone coverage and missed tackling opportunities persisted for Green Bay’s defense. While people often blame the defensive coordinator alone for breakdowns, it’s crucial to highlight the struggles of individual defenders. Packers defenders rarely made tackles that drove Carolina’s players backward.
Zone coverage may not be the strength of every Packers defender, but the defense can still execute it effectively. Ultimately, it comes down to finding a coordinator to position players and orchestrate the defense to eliminate open seams. He must also curb easy 10-plus-yard gains on second- and third-down situations.
The key takeaway is the need for versatility. The Packers can’t afford to be hostage to a single defensive scheme. Whether it’s zone or man coverage, the emphasis should be on adaptability. Green Bay must find a coordinator who can leverage individual players’ strengths while shoring up the weaknesses, ultimately creating a cohesive unit capable of thwarting opposing offenses regardless of his core strategy.
