Packers veteran sack specialist 'loving the system' of new defensive coordinator

The Green Bay Packers hired a new defensive coordinator this offseason, and his schemes have already won over one of Green Bay's veteran leaders.

Jeff Hafley, who was hired by Green Bay on January 31, is receiving praise from his defense amid minicamp, according to a report from FanNation’s Bill Huber.

Among the most ardent early supporters of Hafley’s system has been Packers defensive end Preston Smith.

“Finally, I’m out here rushing more, and I get to get after the quarterback a whole lot more,” Smith said recently, per Huber. “I just love the system.”

“I was always impressed with Jeff Hafley and his system and what they were telling me about it before we went to camp,” Smith added. “Now actually running those plays and getting out there on the field with these guys, I’m loving the system a whole lot more … He’s going to utilize our strengths and the players’ strengths to make sure we go out there and play successful. I think that’s a good thing when you’re coming into a new system or you’re playing a new system.”

Smith, 31, is Green Bay's oldest player. His approval of Hafley holds a lot of weight in the Packers locker room.

Smith has been an elite pass rusher for years, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. He’s one of just 11 NFL players over the last three seasons to have recorded at least eight sacks in each of those seasons.

It appears Smith’s potential for sacks could yet rise under Hafley, who will be directing a defense that has been injected with young talent this offseason and might surprise a lot of people in 2024.

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