For the first time in recent memory, the Green Bay Packers feel like a defense-first team.
That’s not a knock on the offense by any means. The Packers’ offense has been explosive at a high level. Jordan Love has played phenomenally through the first two games of the season, and of course, Josh Jacobs is still Josh Jacobs.
But right now, the defense is simply on another level. And yeah, a lot of that credit goes to the addition of Micah Parsons. Keisean Nixon summed it up perfectly when asked if the team’s swagger feels different this year:
“Uhh, yeah, we have Micah Parsons.”
Packers Defensive Success
The Packers’ defensive dominance isn’t just because of one player, though. Sure, Jerry Jones won’t stop talking about Parsons, even mentioning that the Panthers and Jets were among the teams that tried to trade for him.
If Parsons had gone to either of those teams, they would have improved—but they wouldn’t be in the same position the Packers are in right now. That’s because the rest of the roster is just as important.
So, credit general manager Brian Gutekunst for building such a well-rounded unit. The defense was going to be good this year even without Parsons (though maybe not this good). Gutekunst’s moves over the last few seasons set the foundation:
- Xavier McKinney was added last year in free agency and made an immediate impact.
- Draft-and-develop has produced talent like Edgerrin Cooper, Rashan Gary, Lucas Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt, and Quay Walker.
As the kids would say, Gutekunst has been cooking.
Coaching Matters
That said, Gutekunst is like the grocery shopper for a chef. The ingredients might be elite, but it’s up to the chef to prepare the meal. In the past, the Packers had plenty of talent on defense, but prior defensive coordinators couldn’t—or didn’t know how to—put it together in a cohesive way.
However, that’s all changed with Jeff Hafley.
Jeff Hafley Is the Ultimate Chef
Hafley knows exactly how to use these ingredients. No more plain buttered noodles—we’re getting a four-course meal now. And it tastes oh so good.
Hafley has this defense playing creatively and aggressively. Nobody’s standing around bored. Every snap, it feels like someone—often Parsons—is lining up in a different spot. The movement makes it nearly impossible for opposing offenses to keep track, and the players are completely bought in.
One clear sign of a great defense is how quickly multiple players swarm to the ball carrier. On Thursday Night Football against the Commanders, every time a Washington player was tackled, he was instantly surrounded by Packers in those all-white “Winter Warning” uniforms. Every. Single. Time.
Jeff Hafley has truly cooked up a top-tier defense—and the rest of the league has noticed.
Packers New DC?
Last year, Hafley was already interviewed for a head coaching job just after his first season. The expectation should be that after this season, he will be very much sought-out for a head coaching job. Matt LaFleur might be needing to hire a defensive coordinator after the season.
But for now, let’s enjoy this run we are on. Adjust our perspective to understanding that a NFL season is a long one and anything could happen. But also understand that this team, with this defense, is capable of winning it all. And Jeff Hafley is a big part of that.
And per usual,
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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