Analyst Reveals Packers Biggest Strength Heading into 2024

There is a lot to be excited about heading into 2024 for the Green Bay Packers. They are a team on the rise after earning a Wild Card spot last season and winning a playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys.

A lot of the focus this offseason has been on the offensive side of the ball. The Packers have a lot of young talent, led by quarterback Jordan Love. Was his end-of-season stretch a fluke, or a sign of dominance on the horizon?

Many people would say that the strength of the Packers lies on the offensive side of the ball given the upside of that unit. But, in the opinion of ESPN’s Mike Clay, Green Bay’s biggest strength is on defense.

More specifically, their pass rush. The Packers have a deep, talented group of edge rushers that can wreak havoc on an opposing offense with their ability to get into the backfield and make plays.

“Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare were the only edge rushers to play 100-plus snaps for Green Bay in 2023. All are back for 2024. Smith (8.0-plus sacks in three straight seasons) and Gary (9.0-plus sacks in his past two healthy campaigns) form a solid one-two punch, and the team figures to get more out of 2023 first-round pick Van Ness (4.0 sacks as a rookie) in Year 2,” wrote Clay.

Continuity for this group is a major asset. It will be interesting to see how they adjust to new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. After being outside linebackers the last three seasons under Joe Barry, they will be defensive ends under Hafley.

A switch to a 4-3 base from 3-4 changes where they line up, but their responsibility is the same; get after the quarterback. Thus far, reports are all positive from the players as Hafley wants them to play an aggressive, attacking style, not the read-and-react they did under Barry.

Along with the edge rushers, the Packers receive a nice pass rush from their defensive tackles. Kenny Clark had a career-high 7.5 sacks last season and Devonte Wyatt had 5.5 playing only 50 percent of the snaps.

Wyatt is a potential breakout candidate in 2024 with an increased role defensively. This is a deep, talented group that will give opposing offensive lines fits. Some big numbers could be produced, especially with the improvements made in the offseason to the secondary.

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