Are the Green Bay Packers now a defensive-minded team?
By Joe Kipp
After a complete makeover this past offseason, the Green Bay Packers defense is showing its true potential. Are the Packers now a defensive-minded team?
It’s hard to steal the spotlight when Aaron Rodgers is your teammate. Competing against the poster boy for State Farm isn’t easy. Even when your team’s defense is allowing an average of just 11.7 points per game.
Because of Rodgers’ pedigree, the Green Bay Packers have long been known as an offensive-minded team during his time as starting quarterback.
But after three games of the 2019 season, Rodgers has struggled in Green Bay’s new offense under head coach Matt LaFleur, throwing for just 647 passing yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions, with a passer rating of 96.5 and 61.3 completion percentage.
Even more concerning is that Rodgers has missed plenty of throws that used to be routine for a player of his caliber, and he continues to avoid his first or second read in favor of extending the play. So what’s kept Green Bay afloat during its stretch of three straight victories to open the season?
One word: Defense.
Perhaps nobody expected the Packers defense to be this impressive before the season started, but after three weeks it’s time to start including Green Bay in the same conversation with some of the NFL’s best defenses – maybe even the best.
Through three games, the Packers have allowed just 35 total points (three against the Bears, 16 against the Vikings and 16 against the Broncos) and have forced a league-leading eight turnovers. Thanks to a complete makeover this past offseason, Green Bay’s biggest strength now lies on the defensive side of the ball.
In fact, the Packers’ defense had seven new opening day starters compared to last season. Led by newcomers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith along the defensive line, Green Bay’s defensive front boasts one of the deadliest pass-rushing units in the entire NFL.
Through three games, the Packers have already tallied 12 sacks (third-most in the NFL), with the two Smiths having combined for over half of those. In all of 2018, the Packers only had 44 sacks. At their current rate, Green Bay is on pace to shatter that mark.
Za’Darius, who inked a four-year, $66 million contract back in March as the Packers’ biggest marquee free agent signing, has already recorded three sacks, seven quarterback hits and three tackles for losses in three starts.
Meanwhile, Preston, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal, has arguably looked even more impressive, having racked up 4.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and three tackles for losses in three starts.
But those two quarterback hunters aren’t the only new faces already having a significant impact. Like the Smiths, safety Adrian Amos was a key free agent signee this past Spring. Amos was brought in to provide stability at a position the Packers had struggled with since the departure of Nick Collins.
Amos had the game-sealing interception in Week 1 against Chicago and has already proven to have been a wise investment after the Packers signed him to a four-year, $37 million deal during the onslaught of free agency.
Then there’s the two first-round rookies: safety Darnell Savage and outside linebacker Rashan Gary. Savage nabbed his first interception against Joe Flacco and the Broncos on Sunday. In that same game, Gary recorded his first sack and recovered a fumble. Both rookies have played their part in helping Green Bay’s quick defensive turnaround.
And of course, we can’t forget about defensive tackle Kenny Clark or inside linebacker Blake Martinez. Both players are the heart and soul of the Packers defense and will need contract extensions soon – so long as Martinez doesn’t price himself out of Green Bay.
Finally, no top defense is complete without a lock-down cornerback. That’s where Jaire Alexander enters the picture. A first-round rookie last season who had his ups and downs, Alexander has been outstanding through three games in 2019, holding opposing receivers in check week after week. Kevin King and Tramon Williams aren’t bad options, either.
The Packers are perfectly fine with however they get their wins. If they need to rely on their defense to hold opposing offenses under 20 points, so be it. But soon enough, Rodgers and the Packers offense will need to find their place.
Rodgers spoke after Sunday’s win, saying, “I want to play better. I want to score more points. I obviously love having a defense. But I don’t take any satisfaction in having an OK performance. I want to have greatness out there.”
Based on how the Packers defense is playing at the moment, Rodgers may not have to play much better at all. But if he does, watch out. We could be watching one of the NFL’s most complete teams over the next few months.
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