Packers DC Jeff Hafley - Photo by Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – New Packers Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley has turned the heat up for Green Bay’s defensive players, leading to constant pressure and sacks on quarterback Sean Clifford during the first two days of training camp.
According to Andy Herman of The Pack-A-Day Podcast, who attended practice on Tuesday, edge rusher Rashan Gary had a standout period in which he sacked Clifford three times in four plays. Both Anthony Johnson Jr. and rookie safety Evan Williams came away with interceptions as well on Tuesday due to the constant pressure Gary and the defensive line were putting on the offense.
When asked about the energy that Hafley brings to the team and what his message is to players, former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney says it’s all about having fun, saying, “It’s a little bit of both. Obviously, the message is super important, and he does great with the message. His energy level is always very high. He’s very confident in us to go out there and be able to execute. Obviously, he’s aggressive with his playcalling. It’s just been fun.”
“He’s very transparent with us, so we’re able to talk to him about anything. If we feel like we might need to switch something up, we can always talk to him, and we’re able to have that open communication. It’s always fun when you get a coach who is willing to have open communication with you and not be stuck in his ways of calling it how he wants to call it,” McKinney continued.
Pass rusher Rashan Gary spoke about how the change from a 3-4 to a 4-3 has impacted him, with Packers’ Central’s Bull Huber saying, “I feel more explosive coming out of a three-point stance. Sometimes, when you’re in a two-point stance, you can create more false steps. With the hand in the dirt, the false steps are taken away.”
Gary, who had 9.5 sacks in 2023 throughout 19 games, will be a key figure along with newly extended defensive tackle Kenny Clark in Hafley’s new defensive scheme after the Packers struggled to get consistent pressure on the quarterback, finishing 16th overall in the NFL for sacks in 2023.
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