Green Bay Packers

The Packers Should Stop At Nothing To Improve Their Pass Rush Next Year

Photo Credit: Dan Powers USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

The 2024 Green Bay Packers’ defense was good. It wasn’t elite, but they took a big step forward compared to previous seasons.

Green Bay wrapped up the regular season ranked fifth in total defense. They moved up from 10th to sixth in points per game allowed, from 20th to fifth in yards per play allowed, and from 27th to seventh in Defensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average). The Packers also climbed from 24th to fourth in expected points added per play and from 17th to fifth in yards per game allowed. They also ranked fourth in EPA/play, fourth in EPA/pass, and 10th in EPA/rush.

Hafley’s defense was a top-10 unit in almost every statistical category. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement in Year 2.

ESPN ranked the Packers 26th in pass-rush win rate, with just a 35% success rate. Rashan Gary led the team with 47 pressures, tying for 44th in the league. His pass-rush grade in true pass sets has dropped from 91.4 to 69 over the past three seasons, and his pass-rush win rate has also fallen from 17.3% to 12.7%. Kenny Clark signed a three-year, $64 million extension in July but finished the season with just one sack.

Despite the expected adjustment period for a pass rush transitioning from a 3-4 to a 4-3, the results weren’t good enough. Green Bay’s current pass rushers aren’t getting the job done, and with over $50 million in 2025 cap space, it makes sense for Brian Gutekunst to be aggressive in free agency to upgrade the position. While the Packers have made a significant investment in Gary, Lukas Van Ness, and Devonte Wyatt, great teams continually look for ways to improve.

“Our locker room is gonna be different,” Josh Jacobs said after Green Bay’s 22-10 Wild Card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. “We got some guys due for a contract this year. We don’t know what that’s gonna look like, how that’s gonna shake up, but I know I’m gonna try to get some guys here.”

Last offseason, Maxx Crosby was likely to request a trade if Las Vegas didn’t hire Antonio Pierce for the head coach position. With Pierce gone and the Raiders entering a rebuild, Crosby’s future in Las Vegas is in question.

In October, Crosby made his stance with the Raiders clear: “I’m not here to rebuild, I’m here to win. Whatever that means… but I’m here to win now. Wherever I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be here to win.”

Green Bay should inquire about Crosby’s availability. Great teams always have at least one elite pass rusher, and the Packers currently do not. Gary and Van Ness can and should improve in Year 2, but Hafley’s defense needs an established playmaker. The Packers shouldn’t just focus on fixing mistakes. They need to acquire elite talent capable of overcoming them without costing them games.

Edgerrin Cooper needs to be more involved in pass-rush sets. He was PFF’s second-highest-graded linebacker while rushing the passer and often looked natural in that role. Hafley previously hinted at a special package for Cooper this year, and we’re likely to see more of it next season.

“There are a lot of things we can do to maximize his pass rush,” Hafley mentioned. “I think we’re just scratching the surface. We did some fun things with him today that he looked pretty good at doing, but I’m not going to tell you what it is. We’ll have to wait and see it on film one of these days.”

Potentially signing or trading for a pass rusher and getting Cooper more involved in the pass rush won’t be enough. Green Bay will need their current players to step up. Gary, Van Ness, and Wyatt are all former first-round picks. If they can’t figure it out in 2025, the Packers can’t compete with the NFC’s best teams.

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