Many people have high hopes and expectations for the Green Bay Packers this coming season after they did much better than expected last year.
Going into the 2023 season, few picked them to do anything significant, but they surged late in the schedule and claimed a playoff spot, and once in the postseason, they trounced the Dallas Cowboys in the first round.
However, success isn’t guaranteed for the Packers this fall and winter, and they will have to continue to see internal improvement if they are to make the playoffs again.
They have a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Hafley, and star cornerback Jaire Alexander recently praised Hafley while taking a shot at Green Bay’s former defensive coaching staff, per Matt Schneidman.
“Jaire Alexander explains how defensive and strength staff changes ‘definitely’ have improved his happiness and connectedness to the team. On the prior staff in that regard: ‘I wouldn’t say it was missing, but it wasn’t as easy as it is with this new staff. They’ve been great,’” Schneidman tweeted.
Jaire Alexander explains how defensive and strength staff changes “definitely” have improved his happiness and connectedness to the team.
On the prior staff in that regard: “I wouldn’t say it was missing, but it wasn’t as easy as it is with this new staff. They’ve been great.” pic.twitter.com/u0XS1PuOIH
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 29, 2024
Green Bay had some holes defensively last season, and they compounded in the divisional round versus the San Francisco 49ers, when they blew a 13-7 second-quarter lead.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had played poorly in the first half, but the Packers allowed him to get going afterward while giving up two second-half touchdowns to star running back Christian McCaffrey.
The rest of the NFC North has gotten stronger, and in particular, the Chicago Bears, the Packers’ longtime rivals, suddenly look very strong on paper.
The Packers will need to improve defensively in order to hold off the Bears, as well as the Minnesota Vikings, in order to make a return trip to the postseason.
But with a bright young quarterback in Jordan Love and a promising wide receiver room, they seem to have the tools to be very competitive again.
