By: Paul Bretl 5/16/24 Naturally, the big offseason additions will grab all the headlines, but in football, the ultimate team game, those back-end of the roster additions can carry weight as well, especially on special teams. In addition to bringing in Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs during free agency, the Green Bay Packers were also able to retain several key…
By: Paul Bretl 5/15/24 Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafely, one of the more noticeable differences in his system compared to Joe Barry’s will take place along the defensive front, where the defenders will be responsible for attacking one-gap rather than trying to defend two of them. In Barry’s two-gap defense, as the name suggests,…
By: Paul Bretl 5/14/24 Versatility is a hallmark element of the Green Bay Packers offensive line, providing them with seemingly endless combinations when it comes to constructing the starting five. However, for Josh Myers, his sole focus is on playing center. “We need depth, so we’re going to cross-train them all,” said offensive line coach Luke Butkus. “Obviously, Josh Myers is our center but as far as everybody…
By: Paul Bretl 5/10/24 As the defensive coordinator, it’ll be Jeff Hafley’s job to get improved play from the entire defensive unit. However, a key factor in that happening at a macro level will be helping cornerback Jaire Alexander return to his All-Pro form. Injuries limited Alexander to only nine games last season, including the playoffs. He was also suspended for…
By: Paul Bretl 5/9/24 That Year 2 leap, which so many successful NFL players make, is going to be crucial for Carrington Valentine in helping to provide stability at the cornerback position for the Green Bay Packers. “Biggest jump in my opinion in my years and time of being in the NFL is from your…
By: Paul Bretl 5/9/24 The Green Bay Packers selected Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt in the seventh round of this year’s draft, however, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t bullish on Sean Clifford as the backup either. “He developed throughout the year,” said quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, “which is what you’d like to see. He’s doing a great job in this offseason. So I think he’ll make a big jump from year one to…
By: Paul Bretl 5/8/24 Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon could potentially take on a more versatile role with the team this season, perhaps filling the void at H-back with Josiah Deguara now in Jacksonville. “AJ is another guy that I think can be a high-volume guy,” Matt LaFleur said at the NFL Owners…
By: Paul Bretl 5/7/24 While the Packers make the shift to new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system, which includes transitioning from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3, the emphasis at this time of the year is on fundamentals and technique. Without those aspects, nothing else really matters. “There’s nothing more important than fundamentals and technique,” said Hafley on Monday. “Whether it’s the D-line getting off the…
By: Paul Bretl 5/6/24 With the versatility that the Packers have from a number of different players along the offensive line, predicting the starting five in early May feels a bit like rolling five dice and knowing not only what numbers will pop up but the exact order. “Very excited about it,” said Adam Stenavich…
By: Paul Bretl 5/4/24 The Green Bay Packers held their two-day rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday following the 2024 NFL draft–the first opportunity to get the recent draft picks in the building while trying to get them up to speed on everything as quickly as possible. “Well first of all,” said Matt LaFleur on Friday, “it’s just good to get ’em in the building to…
By: Paul Bretl 4/30/24 The Green Bay Packers have a looming decision to make on cornerback Eric Stokes’ fifth-year option for the 2025 NFL season. By May 2nd, they must either pick up or decline the fifth-year option for next year. All first-round picks get a four-year rookie deal, just like every other draft pick. However, a difference…
By: Paul Bretl 4/29/24 As Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has done previously, when there is a positional need entering the draft, he won’t just address it early, but he will utilize multiple selections in an effort to fill that hole. The 2024 draft was no different. The three biggest needs that the Packers had to tackle were the offensive line, safety, and linebacker. Well, of the Packers…
By: Paul Bretl 4/29/24 The Green Bay Packers made five picks within the first two days of the 2024 NFL draft, and with four of them, they tackled their biggest roster needs at safety, linebacker, and offensive tackle. “I think there was some temptation to do that along the way, but we really were able to stay…