Green Bay’s new defensive strategy under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley has led to more turnovers, but the team’s pass rush remains a work in progress. However, the Packers have an opportunity to improve in that area this weekend.
Last week, Green Bay showed confidence in its younger pass rushers by trading veteran Preston Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
Green Bay Packers players celebrate after a first down in the 1st half
The Packers (6-3) will face the Chicago Bears (4-5) in their first game since the trade. The Bears recently fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron following a 19-3 loss to New England, during which they gave up nine sacks.
“We’re ready to make a statement,” said defensive lineman Arron Mosby. “It’s a divisional game, and we’re 0-2 in the NFC North, so we’ve got to come out strong.” Despite 19 takeaways this season, the Packers’ pass rush has underperformed.
Green Bay has 19 takeaways so far, one more than last year, ranking second in the league. However, their 22 sacks rank 18th, averaging just 2.4 per game. In 2023, they totaled 45 sacks, tying for 16th in the league.
“We’re still waiting for that big breakout game,” said Lukas Van Ness, the Packers’ 2023 first-round pick. Van Ness has just one sack this season after posting four as a rookie. “Our best football is ahead of us.”
The Packers’ sack total is skewed by two games—eight sacks against Tennessee on Sept. 22 and four against Houston on Oct. 20. In three of the past four games, they’ve recorded no more than one sack.
Green Bay has pressured opposing quarterbacks 24.5% of the time, ranking 13th in the league. Last season, they pressured quarterbacks 24.3% of the time, ranking seventh.
The trade of Smith suggests the Packers believe their younger pass rushers can step up. Smith’s playing time had decreased this season, but his 2½ sacks were second on the team, behind Devonte Wyatt’s three. Since joining the Packers in 2019, Smith has recorded 44 sacks, ranking sixth in franchise history since 1982.
Rashan Gary saw the trade as a signal for the rest of the pass rushers. “Step up,” Gary said. “The opportunity’s out there. Let’s make the most of it.”
Smith, after joining the Steelers, revealed that he had requested a trade due to concerns about his role in Green Bay’s switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense this season. Other veterans have also taken time to adjust to the new system.
Gary has 2½ sacks in nine games this year, down from his 24½ sacks over the previous three seasons. Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark has yet to record a sack in 2024, after posting a career-high 7½ sacks last season.
“The numbers will come,” Gary said. “Watch the tape. We’re setting edges, putting pressure on quarterbacks. The sacks will follow if we keep playing our game.”
This trade also opens up opportunities for younger players like Kingsley Enagbare, a 2022 fifth-round pick, and 25-year-old Mosby, who earned a roster spot after a strong preseason. Mosby teamed up with Gary for his first career sack in a loss to Detroit on Nov. 3, just before the bye week.
The Packers’ pass rush will have a prime opportunity this Sunday against the Bears, who have struggled to protect rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Chicago has allowed 4.1 sacks per game, with only Cleveland (4.8) allowing more.
“This could be one of those breakout games, like against Tennessee,” Enagbare said. “Fingers crossed.”
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