GREEN BAY, Wisconsin: In Green Bay, the winds of change are blowing. Joe Barry has left. Jeff Hafley has been admitted. Every position in the NFL is hard to change. Coaches generally try to steer clear of it. Speaking about this last year, Matt LaFleur stated that he expected to retain Barry as the defensive coordinator for the 2023 campaign.”I believe that succeeding in this league requires consistency. Furthermore, even when you have positive feelings for the people, you still need to push each other to get better,” LaFleur stated.
Following yet another disappointing season, LaFleur came to the conclusion that continuing would be verging on the brink of lunacy. Barry’s defense did not improve, and by selecting a former college head coach, the Packers defied expectations. LaFleur draws attention to himself with his selection as defensive coordinator. It’s a risky move.
Hafley will surely assist a few of the current in-house guys. Here are several players who should be excited about Hafley adding his touch to the defense.
LB ISAIAH MCDUFFIE
In 2023, Isaiah McDuffie had eight starts in lieu of the injured Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell. He had several good performances in Barry’s defense. He and Campbell were in a rotation toward the end of the season.
Having played in this defense before, having met paths with Hafley at Boston College, McDuffie has one advantage above everyone else. McDuffie adores Hafley’s potential for aggression on the team. “He entered and unquestionably altered our program’s culture. Regarding their 2020 campaign together, McDuffie told Packer Central, “And we had a winning season that year.”
“Many players, myself included, had the chance to advance in their defensive performance. He certainly exudes energy, and he is incredibly intelligent and meticulous. I have high expectations for him. I’m just eager to get back in touch.
Given that Campbell’s long-term status is uncertain, McDuffie might have been expected to be one of the team’s major starters anyhow. Another thing McDuffie has going for him is being ahead of any possible learning curve.
CB JAIRE ALEXANDER
Jaire Alexander is a fierce competitor. The fact that he was not asked to be a shadow corner by the previous defensive staff was one of the things that disappointed him. Alexander is up for the challenge of covering the top receiver on the other team.
He talked about how, when the Packers went to Las Vegas to play the Raiders in October, he would play despite an injury against his old teammate, Davante Adams.
Although it’s not quite like the Super Bowl or the playoffs, it’s comparable. That’s just the way things are. I’m not going to miss this match against the best,” Alexander remarked. “A few months ago, I made a full circle around it.” That evening, Alexander did not follow Adams. Seldom was he asked to cover the top receiver on the other team.
On January 1, 2023, Alexander led the Minnesota Vikings’ top quarterback Justin Jefferson in a 41-17 thrashing, which stands out as one of his best performances as a Packer.
Throughout the game, Alexander displayed some of his characteristic trash talk, which included making fun of Jefferson’s signature celebration after intercepting a ball that was meant for him. Jefferson was clearly irritated. Hafley may give Alexander more man coverage opportunities to force the opposition’s pass game to adjust, but it’s unclear if he will see more of such situations overall.
CB CARRINGTON VALENTINE
Hafley’s experience coaching defensive backs should help the secondary, which had injury and inconsistent play in 2023. While Carrington Valentine saw some positive moments during his rookie season, he also went through the regular ups and downs that come with being a rookie in the NFL.
Valentine’s skill set ought to fit in with some of Hafley’s earlier theories.
Hafley declared, “I love press man,” in 2019 while serving as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator. “I think you have to be able to play both.” Valentine most definitely possesses the confidence and attitude necessary to perform as a man-coverage cornerback.
Valentine declared, “I’m a competitor,” prior to the Packers’ game against the Los Angeles Chargers and Keenan Allen.”I refuse to give in to anyone.” What matters to me is not who you are. I’m just going to keep fighting till the very end. I am that person. Valentine would be willing to take on that role if given additional chances to play man coverage. He ought to benefit from that in his second season.
