The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role.
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Green Bay Packers and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Green Bay Packers Defense
Green Bay’s defensive front was strong in 2024, allowing 4.1 yards per carry to running backs (7th) and 0.95 yards before contact on average to RBs (4th).
T.J. Slaton left in free agency, which is a concern as they look to repeat those run defense numbers, but the rest of the 2024 rotation is back.
Kenny Clark is the standout of this group, finishing last season with 10 run stuffs but surprisingly struggling to get after the quarterback.
A toe injury he picked up in Week 1 could have played a role in those struggles.
Devonte Wyatt picked up the slack there, getting 5 sacks with a 13.5% pressure rate on limited snaps.
The Packers finished eighth with 45 sacks and 13th in pressure rate (35.2%).
While those overall numbers are good, no one stood out as a pass rusher, and it was not the most consistent unit in the league.
While Rashan Gary led the team with 7.5 sacks, his 11.9% pressure rate ranked 45th among qualified pass rushers.
Kingsley Enagbare struggled more, and Lukas Van Ness has a career 9.5% pressure rate.
Green Bay could be hoping for more from Brenton Cox, who had 4 sacks and a massive 18.1% pressure rate last season, albeit on a very small sample.
Edgerrin Cooper took a little bit of time to establish himself as a rookie, but he was a major factor when on the field in 2024.
Quay Walker played the most snaps at linebacker last season and continued to be more fine than great.
The Packers did well against the pass overall in 2024, finishing 13th in yards allowed per attempt (7.0), ninth in total passing touchdowns allowed (23rd), and 11th in touchdown rate allowed (4.1%).
They also had some elite numbers, finishing second in EPA per pass allowed and third with 17 interceptions.
Green Bay had that success despite Jaire Alexander playing in just seven games for the second season in a row, and he is now no longer on the team.
Perhaps with that in mind, the Packers signed Nate Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million contract in free agency.
Hobbs has primarily played in the slot throughout his career.
Keisean Nixon has seen time in the slot during his career, as well, but he played more on the outside last year.
That versatility from Hobbs and Nixon, being able to play inside and outside, should allow Jeff Hafley to get creative with his personnel packages, especially after safety Javon Bullard took snaps as a slot corner to close his rookie season.
Carrington Valentine should also get a fair crack at a starting spot.
The Packers made a splash signing at safety last offseason, and Xavier McKinney paid off in his first season with the team.
McKinney finished with 8 interceptions, one off the league lead, and earned his first All-Pro selection.
Javon Bullard and Evan Williams both saw significant work as rookies, with Williams getting more time later in the year as Bullard transitioned into more of a slot corner role.
It will be interesting to see how the defensive staff decides to use Bullard given the addition of Hobbs.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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