Tag: Jeff Hafley

How the Packers’ three new safeties will change their defense radically for the better

With Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, and Kitan Oladapo on board, the Packers’ safety group will change the defense for the better… radically.

While NFL teams like the Lions and Eagles chose to overhaul their cornerbacks this offseason, the Packers went safety first under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. First, there was the signing of former Giants star Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $67 million contract with $23 million guaranteed. Then in the draft, the Packers got Georgia’s Javon Bullard with the 58th overall pick in the second round. Then, the addition of Oregon State’s Kitan Oladapo with the 169th pick in the fifth round.

Packers nab former Giants DB Xavier McKinney to be the face of their pass defense

Necessary changes for a defense that ranked 27th in 2023, and 25th the year before, under Joe Barry. Moreover, all three players are fairly interchangeable in the defense. This is especially true of Bullard, who transitioned from a slot/box defender in 2022 to a free safety in 2023, and did it all without a hitch. Last season, Bullard allowed 14 catches on 26 targets for 119 yards, 68 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of

“I think probably his ability to maybe play more nickel than some of those guys,” assistant director of college scouting Patrick Moore said of Bullard’s attributes. “We felt like him at the second level, playing that slot and playing a little bit more nickel, with the ability to play safety as well was probably a strength. Just really we have a good feel for him and who he is and what he’s going to bring to our defense intangible-wise, too. That’s just where we had him stacked.”

“As far as my role, man, just being — really doing whatever the team needed me to do, man,” Bullard told reporters after he was drafted. “It was some cases where as far as my sophomore year at nickel, there were some cases where I was more involved in the run game and more involved in blitz packages and things like that and also more involved in man to man coverage, being able to cover slot receivers and things like that. As far as safety, we lost a great player in Chris Smith to the NFL, as well, so like I said, just being that versatile Swiss Army knife that the team needs, whatever they ask me to do, I will definitely do that and I try to do it at a high level.”

Bullard has already proven all of that.

Oladapo’s responsibilities didn’t change much over his last three seasons at Oregon State — he was about equally in the box, the slot, and the deep third. Last season, he gave up 21 completions on 36 targets for 212 yards, 58 yards after the catch, one touchdown, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 61.3.

“He’s a little different body type than the other two [McKinney and Bullard], said Jon-Eric Sullivan, vice president of player personnel, of Oladapo. “He’s a big, 6-2, 216-pound kid. Long arms. Aggressive — when he hits you, you go down. He’s a very good athlete at that size. He can pedal, he can flip, he can turn. He’s versatile, more of a true safety but he can play that big nickel or will linebacker if you need him too. The playstyle. Very smart. Captain as well. One, good football player, and two, the kind of person we want to infuse in this locker room.”

Hafley has already said that he wants his cornerbacks to play more aggressively than they did under Barry, which is a pretty low bar. One thing we know for sure is that Hafley’s safeties will be athletic, smart, versatile, and deployed in all kinds of places opponents may not expect.

Packers rookie Javon Bullard already impressing: ‘He’s a sharp guy’

Jeff Hafley liked how Packers DB Javon Bullard absorbed information and translated it to the practice field during rookie minicamp.

Last weekend’s rookie minicamp allowed only a short look at defensive back Javon Bullard and the new draft picks for the Green Bay Packers, but an opportunity for the first-year players to absorb information and translate it to the practice field over two days provided a chance for Bullard to impress his new coaches, including defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

As much as rookie minicamp is for showing off physical skills, the mental side can also shine through.

“The best part of it is, you don’t really know what you’re getting until you get into a meeting room with him. He’s a sharp guy,” Hafley said Monday. “His ability to learn and process during those two days was impressive. When you get a guy who can play that fast and can take what he learned in the meeting room and bring it out onto the field, he’s got a chance. Small little glimpse of what we’re going to get when they get here, but excited to have him.”

The Packers took Bullard with the 58th overall pick in the draft. At Georgia, Bullard played in the slot, deep as a safety and in the box for an NFL-style defense, giving Hafley another versatile, interchangeable defensive back to pair with Xavier McKinney.

An ability to digest information is vital to a rookie. Bullard will be learning a brand new defense in Green Bay, and if he’s a starter at safety — like many expect — he’ll need to know not only his own responsibilities on every play but the jobs of many others in the secondary. To play fast is to play without hesitation.

Hafley, now the Packers’ first-year defensive coordinator after a stint as the head coach of Boston College, recruited Bullard coming out of high school. He’s seeing many of the same things he saw on his high school and college film.

“Loved his tape,” Hafley said. “Loved the way he played, loved the playstyle. Loved the versatility. He’s a physical guy. He can run. He can cover. He can play deep. He can play in the slot. He can blitz. He’s bigger when you see him. He’s thick, strong.”

Packers defense going to ‘attack’ under new DC Jeff Hafley

New Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wants to have an attacking defense that will emphasize creating takeaways.

Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, one of the more noticeable changes for this Green Bay Packers’ unit — along with switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 base — will be the emphasis on playing with energy and having an attacking play style.

“We’re going to attack,” said Hafley in a sit-down conversation with Larry McCarren. “I told the players that I want to lead the NFL in effort, and I want to lead the NFL in how hard we play, and I want to lead the NFL in taking the ball away.

“I want people to see the confidence that our players are playing with within themselves and their teammates. And showing how much they care about each other and this team by how hard they play and how hard they run to the ball and the effort that they give.”

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When Matt LaFleur set out to find the Packers’ next defensive coordinator, it wasn’t his intention to switch to a 4-3 defense. Now, of course, and as LaFleur acknowledged, having the personnel to make that switch was a big factor in hiring Hafley.

However, before LaFleur even determined that Hafley was the guy, it was his intention to find the right person and personality to help get the most out of this side of the ball.

“If you want your players to bring great energy every day,” said LaFleur, “if you don’t do it as a coach, then there’s a problem there. I can’t demand that out of our guys and not expect that out of myself or our coaches. No matter what you’re coaching. Yeah, the energy is an important piece to that.”

In addition to the juice that Hafley and the rest of the defensive coaching staff is going to bring, Hafley has been lauded by former players for his ability to both teach the game and to make the gameplan simple, so players can react on the football field rather than over thinking.

Another key factor in LaFleur’s decision to hire Hafley was his past experience working with defensive backs.

As we’ve heard LaFleur mention on numerous occasions in the past and Hafley discusses with McCarren, the Packers have to get better at generating takeaways. Last season, the Packers’ seven interceptions were the second-fewest in football.

A game plan that the players are able to better execute on, along with how Hafley leads the practices and meetings throughout the week, will be cruical when it comes to seeing improvement in this area.

But, on top of that, this is going to be a more aggressive defense under Hafley as well. He hasn’t shied away from talking about his love for press-man coverage; while at Boston College, Hafley was very willing to send five and six-man pressures on third downs to help force the issue.

“We prioritize it,” said Hafley on generating more takeaways. “And it’s not just talk, it’s every day in meetings, showing them how we are going to do it and teaching them how we are going to do it. And then it has to show up in practice and then it has to show up in the game. That is priority No. 1, we have to take the ball away.”

Although when it was first reported that the Packers had hired Hafley, there was some initial head-scratching, in large part because he seemed to come out of nowhere.

But now, a few months in, it’s easy to see why LaFleur wanted to have Hafley on his coaching staff, especially considering that there is no time to waste. The window to win is here.

“Fiery, his energy … he’s going to bring it,” said Kenny Clark via Packers.com. “He’s going to challenge everybody – challenge everybody to be great. That’s what you want as a coach. You want them to hold guys accountable.”

Jeff Hafley’s experience coaching DBs key factor in Packers’ decision to hire him

Jeff Hafley’s experience as a DB coach represents a key factor in Packers coach Matt LaFleur hiring him as defensive coordinator.

Of course, there are many factors that ultimately led to Matt LaFleur choosing Jeff Hafley to be the Green Bay Packers next defensive coordinator, but a big one was his previous experience working with defensive backs.

“I would say definitely,” said LaFleur when asked about Hafley’s defensive back background being a key factor. “Especially in this league, it’s such a pass dominant league. That was definitely one of the most appealing things to me was his ability to lead from the back end. But I think he’s got a great knowledge base on all three levels.”

Hafley has been the Boston College head coach since 2020 and was the Ohio State co-defensive coordinator in 2019, but before that, he cut his teeth in the NFL working with defensive backs.

Hafley got his start in the NFL as the Tampa Bay assistant defensive backs coach in 2012 before being promoted to defensive backs coach in 2013. He then held that same title with Cleveland from 2014 to 2015 and San Francisco from 2016 to 2018.

At both the cornerback and safety positions in 2023, the Packers simply didn’t have enough impact plays being made. No player at ranked in the top half of the NFL in forced incompletions at either of their respective position groups, while the seven interceptions that the Packers defense as a group generated were they second-fewest in football.

In part, these Packers’ defenders weren’t always in the best positions to make plays on the ball, given the passive defensive approach Joe Barry utilized.

However, if Hafley’s previous defenses provide us with some insights into what we can expect in Green Bay, that could mean more Cover-1 looks, which for the cornerbacks means more man coverage, as well as more press coverage.

Both LaFleur and Hafley also discussed a switch to a more vision-based approach on the defensive back-end. All of which should help create more opportunities for the members of the secondary to make plays on the ball.

“Our zone coverages are built off vision and break that allows our guys to play fast,” said Hafley, “so they’re not looking at people and looking around for people. The essence of playing vision-and-break coverage is when the ball’s thrown, you have two or three guys going 100 miles an hour to the ball carrier.

“And I think that’s what the biggest difference is. And you have to have complements to that, because a lot of times when you want to pressure, you can’t play that style of defense. You have to be aggressive and get your hands on people. So I think there’s a place for both. I’m big on vision and break because I want to see as many people get to the ball carrier and as fast as we can over and over again.”

Along with the scheme, energy and developing relationships with the players through open communication will be hallmarks of his defensive approach.

And whether it be by LaFleur or former players of Hafley’s like Tashaun Gipson, Richard Sherman, or Jordan Fuller, Hafley has been routinely complimented on his ability to keep the gameplan digestible for players. This prevents overthinking and allows the defenders to just play fast.

“His preparation is some of the best I’ve seen,” said cornerback Richard Sherman who was coached by Hafley in San Francisco. “I’ve had some great defensive back coaches, some great defensive coaches, great defensive minds, and he’s right up there with his preparation and how he breaks down film and how easy and simple he makes the gameplan sound. How easy he makes it for guys to understand. He paints a very vivid picture of what you’re going to see, and it’s all about executing on it.”

With Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Carrington Valentine, the Packers have a very solid foundation at the cornerback position—although depth will be needed, along with finding someone to fill that nickel cornerback role.

Safety is a much bigger need, however. This is a very much a position that the Packers will end up addressing both through free agency and the draft. Given the importance of the safety position in Hafley’s defense, which he discusses here, in addition to this being a so-so draft class but a good free agent one, if feels like the Packers could tackle this need by spending some free agent dollars.

Rather than saying this is the scheme and the defenders have to play within it, Hafley is going to identify what skillsets his defenders have and mold the scheme to them. This is just another example of how this hire could help unlock the back-end of the Packers’ defense.

“Our job is to put the players in the best position to succeed and make plays,” said Hafley, “and that’s through scheme, right? People can say a lot of the scheme is simpler, but it’s very detailed. We try and make it simple for the players so they can play fast, so they don’t have to think, so they can be confident and not be afraid to make mistakes, so I can get them the information – we can get them the information – that they need, so they can go out there and be fearless and play with their hair on fire and run and hit and cover and get off blocks and tackle.

“That’s the beauty of the scheme. We got guys that can press, let’s line up and get our hands on people. I think that’s really important. You get a guy that can play a zone third, that can read two to one, let’s do it and go get the ball.”

How does Packers LB Quay Walker fit into Jeff Hafley’s defense?

One of Jeff Hafley’s top goals should be finding a way to maximize Quay Walker’s impact at linebacker.

On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers officially introduced their new defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley. Hafley spoke to reporters for over 28 minutes, discussing everything from why he decided to leave a head coaching job at Boston College to what attracted him to Green Bay and his core beliefs as a coach.

As expected, Hafley didn’t disclose many details about the scheme he’d be running, but one thing we do know is that the Packers are expected to implement a 4-3 style of base defense for the first time since 2008.

Of course, in today’s NFL, defenses spend most of their time in sub-packages. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some structural and philosophical differences.

In a 4-3 defense, there are four down linemen and three linebackers. Granted, there may not be much change in how Green Bay deploys its defensive line, but there will be some changes in what they ask from their linebackers.

Right now, the only linebacker we know that will be a staple on next year’s team is Quay Walker. After battling injuries for the past two seasons, De’Vondre Campbell is a candidate to get released this offseason, as his cap hit will also increase by more than double in 2024. Isaiah McDuffie played for Hafley at Boston College and has done a solid job filling in for an injured Campbell, but has only ever been a depth piece.

The Packers may decide to select a linebacker in this year’s draft, but they will eventually have to decide how to utilize Walker.

When specifically asked about the promising young linebacker, Hafley made some interesting comments about how he envisions him fitting into the defense.

“Quay is a talented player. As we build this thing, we’re going to make sure he’s in a position to make a lot of plays,” said Hafley. “So whatever we feel, as we piece this together, where that is, that’s where we’ll put him.”

Based on his size and speed, Walker’s best fit may be as the WILL linebacker.

Traditionally, the WILL lines up on the backside of formations, has to be quick enough to play sideline to sideline in the run game, can rush the passer, and can drop into coverage when needed.

We’ve seen Walker make good use of his 4.5 speed and ball carrier tracking over his first two seasons. His 239 tackles are the most on the team during that span, but so are his 24 missed tackles. From a pass-rushing standpoint, Walker was asked to fill that role more often in 2024 than he was as a rookie. As a result, he was more productive, finishing with career-highs in sacks and pressures.

In pass coverage, Walker still has room to improve. During last year’s regular season, he did return his first career interception for a touchdown in the season opener against the Chicago Bears but ended up allowing 45 receptions on 53 targets (84.9) for 10.4 yards per reception and two touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus.

Walker certainly has shown flashes of why he was a first-round pick back in 2022. But his entire body of work hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.

Ideally, Walker will have less on his plate in Hafley’s system, allowing him to play freer and fly to the football without spending so much time in the A gap fighting off blocks. Putting Walker in position to be successful while in coverage is another question Hafley will have to answer. He’s plenty athletic to cover most running backs and tight ends, but there needs to be improvement in this area.

In the future, it will be interesting to see what Hafley has in store for Walker and how he plans to maximize his strengths.

Will importance of safety position for Jeff Hafley lead to Packers spending in free agency?

Jeff Hafley thinks free safety is an important position, and the Packers have a big roster need there. Could they go shopping for an answer?

The safety position from a pure roster depth standpoint is the biggest need that the Green Bay Packers have this offseason, and it feels increasingly more likely that they could take a swing in free agency at landing an impact player to a help address the need.

“I think it’s an important spot,” said new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Thursday. “I think that guy back in the middle of the field, when things break down – when they throw the ball up in the air, he has to go and get it. I think it’s a very important spot in the defense.”

Currently under contract on the roster at safety are Benny Sapp, Anthony Johnson, and Zayne Anderson. Combined this group has fewer than 350 career defensive snaps, and most of them belong to Johnson. Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens are all free agents.

In general, the Packers need more playmaking from this position and overall consistency. Too often missed tackles and coverage breakdowns, at times due to poor communication, resulted in big plays for the opposing offense.

Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers are going to play more Cover-1, which can really stress the deep safety, who will be tasked with having cover a lot of ground along with having a lot on his plate responsibility-wise, from helping against the run, making plays on the ball, limiting the explosive pass play, and backend communication.

Both LaFleur and Hafley also discussed the switch on the backend to a more vision-based approach, which in short, means defenders keeping their eyes on the quarterback.

“You’ve got to have changeups,” said Hafley, “and you have to have calls that complement one another. Our zone coverages are built off vision and break that allows our guys to play fast, so they’re not looking at people and looking around for people.

“The essence of playing vision-and-break coverage is when the ball’s thrown, you have two or three guys going 100 miles an hour to the ball carrier. And I think that’s what the biggest difference is.”

Below Hafley detailed what he looks for in a post safety – or deep middle safety – during Thursday’s introductory press conference with the Green Bay media:

“I want a guy who can erase things,” said Hafley. “We gotta eliminate explosive plays when we play this defense, so if a run hits up the middle, this guy’s gotta come out of the middle field with his hair on fire, he’s gotta be able to get a guy down. I also want him to be a guy, when a ball carrier is wrapped up, he goes and he finishes off the pile.

“I want a guy who can go from sideline to sideline and take the ball away. I think that position has to be a guy with high ball production, meaning he’s gotta be able to intercept the ball. He’s gotta be a guy that can communicate and he’s gotta be a guy that can get guys lined up and make some calls back there and I’d love a guy that can play man, so I guess I’m describing the perfect player to you, but those are some of the traits I’d look for in playing that position.”

Even by Hafley’s own admission, he described what is probably the perfect safety, and those don’t exist and the ones that are close will come with a hefty contract. However, what Hafley’s explanation does go to show is the importance of this position within his defense.

That means taking a band-aid approach at the position, like the Packers did last offseason by bringing back Savage on his fifth-year option, along with signing veterans like Ford and Owens and Tarvarius Moore – who was released – won’t cut it.

That also could mean relying on the draft to provide the Packers with that impact player won’t cut it either. For one, no team wants to go into the draft saying they have to add to any position group—they want the flexibility to select based on how the board falls. On top of that, I wouldn’t classify this as a strong safety class, with no safeties ranking in the top 50 of Daniel Jeremiah’s initial big board, and any rookie is going to go through some level of growing pains.

So if the Packers are truly going to address the need and find that do-it-all safety, free agency provides them with the best opportunity to do so, especially in this year’s class. On PFF’s top 150 free agents list, 15 were safeties, one of the most at any position group. You can click here to read more about a few of those players.

Over the Cap currently has the Packers at $2.85 million over the projected 2024 salary cap. Ken Ingalls, who independently tracks the Packers salary cap situation, estimates that $30 million in cap space will be needed to account for normal operating expenses, such as signing the draft class, constructing the practice squad, and having in-season reserves, among other things.

What that $30 million figure does not include are free agent additions. However, through restructures, roster cuts, and extensions, the Packers have the means create all the cap space they need, north of $70 million. But the give and take with all of this is that the cap space that is created for 2024 reduces the team’s cap flexibility in 2025 and beyond because of the cap charges pushed to future years. Eventually those costs have to hit the books.

“I think it just depends on the player,” said Gutekunst about free agency. “It depends on who that is and how he can impact our football team. I don’t think we’ll shy away from adding impact players if we have to push things down the road. We’d prefer not to do that, but at the same time, this is about winning and trying to win a championship, so if that’s something that makes sense, we’ll do it.”

The new league year begins on March 13th, as does the official free agency period, although the legal tampering period will occur over the two days prior.

For the Packers, there is still salary cap work to be done through those aforementioned restructures, cuts, and potential extensions. Other positions of need include running back, linebacker, cornerback, and offensive line depth.

However, when it comes to free agency, while I’m not expecting some sort of spending spree like we saw in 2019, my attention will be on the safeties as that does seem to be shaping up as a position group that Gutekunst is not only going to target but will try to make an impact addition at as well.

Jeff Hafley provides insight into Packers new defensive position coaches

Packers DC Jeff Hafley provided some insight on new defensive assistants Vince Oghobaase, Anthony Campanile and Derrick Ansley.

Joining Jeff Hafley on the Green Bay Packers defensive coaching staff will be Vince Oghobaase as the assistant interior defensive line coach, Anthony Campanile as the linebackers coach, and Derrick Ansley as the pass game coordinator, along with Ryan Downard returning as the defensive backs coach and Jason Rebrovich now as the defensive line coach.

Beyond the Xs and Os, the energy that this new-look coaching staff brings along with their ability to connect and build relationships with the players will be important aspects to helping this Packers defense reach its full potential.

“Hafley was a big part of the process in terms of getting the right staff around him,” said Matt LaFleur on Thursday, “guys that he not necessarily knew but guys that he respected, that he trusts are going to be able to carry out the vision for the defense, and I’m excited for you guys to get to know these guys.

“I think you’ll see a lot of high-energy coaches, and I think that’ll help our players bring out that energy that we need to be able to go out and compete to the best of our ability on Sundays.”

Vince Oghobaase

Vince Oghobaase #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates on the field during the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 18, 2008 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Oghobaase coached under Hafley at Boston College as the defensive line coach and the two were also on the San Francisco defensive staff together for two seasons from 2016 to 2017. Oghobaase also spent two years at UCLA with Chip Kelly.

Oghobaase will be coaching under Rebrovich, and the two will help with the transition for the defensive front, especially the edge rushers, as the Packers move from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3.

The play of the defensive line and edge rusher groups in 2023 was very hot and cold—the Packers’ front was either wreaking havoc or quite quiet. Finding that consistency from a pass rush standpoint, along with being better against the run will be top priorities. Some of which is hopefully helped by Hafley’s ability to simplify things for his defenders.

“Highly intelligent,” said Hafley of Oghobaase, “played the position, Duke grad, really good relationships with the players; really good teacher of fundamentals, technique.

“His players love playing for him, and he gets on them hard. He coaches them hard. He’s demanding. He holds them to a standard, but he’s got such good relationships and he’s such a good teacher, and he’s so smart. From a picture-wise, I think he has the ability to see it all. So, he’s really sharp.”

Anthony Campanile

 (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Campanile, the new linebackers coach, was called a “star” by Hafley during Thursday’s press conference. Campanile has been the Miami Dolphins linebackers coach since 2020 and interviewed for the New York Giants defensive coordinator opening this offseason.

Hafley and Campanile know each other quite well but have never had the opportunity to coach together. As Hafley joked, it wasn’t Campanile’s profanity laced rant on “Hard Knocks” where he was introduced to him.

When in their base defense, the Packers will go from having two linebackers on the field to three. Quay Walker possesses that playmaking ability but consistently unlocking that potential will be a must for the new coaching staff.

Isaiah McDuffie could slot into the middle linebacker role, although I don’t expect that to stop the Packers for looking for potential upgrades this offseason. De’Vondre Campbell could end up as a cut candidate, leaving the Packers without a strong-side linebacker for their 4-3 defense.

“He’s one of the best, most loyal people I’ve ever been around,” said Hafley of Campanile, “and he’s one of the best football coaches I’ve ever been around.

“I’m glad, very glad that he’s here. I think you guys will enjoy him. More importantly, I think the players are gonna love him and that’s really important as we build this staff.”

Derrick Ansley

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Ansley comes to Green Bay after spending the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. In 2021 and 2022, Ansley was the defensive backs coach, and the non-play calling defensive coordinator in 2023.

Most of Ansley’s coaching career has been spent specifically working with defensive backs, which includes coaching under Nick Saban at Alabama, along with two other NFL stops. Like Campanille, Ansley also interviewed for the Giants’ defensive coordinator opening this offseason.

As the pass game coordinator, Ansley will work with entire defensive backfield. The safety position is in-flux right now for the Packers, and one that will have to be addressed this offseason. If the Packers play more Cover-1 under Hafley, there will be more stress on that position, specifically for the post safety, tasked with covering the deep middle portion of the field.

The Packers also have to add to the cornerback position, specifically depth and finding a nickel option. This is a position group that could flourish under Hafley, given his experience coaching defensive backs, along with his heavier use of man and press coverages aligning well with the skillsets of the current cornerback room.

“Derrick and I knew each other from when I was a DB coach the first go around,” said Hafley. “Being at combines, getting to know him. Working the combine drills together. He worked with one of my good friends out in Oakland at the time, so we kind of talked quite a bit.

“Followed his career and kept in touch with him, and he’s got coordinator experience. So as we piece this thing together, he knows what it’s like to sit in my chair and he brings a lot of value and some different things. He’s been part of some different scheme, which I think will help.”

As Hafley said on Thursday, he believes that the Packers already have several cornerstone players on the defensive side of the ball. The task for him and the rest of these defensive coaches will be having that group reach its full potential and do so consistently.

With the Packers offense performing at an elite level late last season, coupling that with a regularly solid to good defense – not even a great one by any means – will make this a very formidable team to face.

“You ask about style of defense,” said Hafley, “the one thing that’s probably most important to me, even more so than Xs and Ox, is the guys, the coaches, we’re in this thing together. When you turn on the film, these guys gotta all running to the ball because they respect one another. They gotta play together and you gotta see that on the tape. That’s one of the biggest things that I’m gonna stress with this group, with this staff, and the style of play we’re going to play on defense. These guys gotta love playing with each other and they gotta love each other.”

Focus for Jeff Hafley is on digestible game plans so Packers defenders play fast

Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wants to keep it simple so his players can play fast and aggressive in the scheme.

Putting together a gameplan to stop the opposing offense actually isn’t the most important aspect for a defensive coordinator. This is step two. Rather, putting together a gameplan that the defenders can flawlessly execute is step one. The former doesn’t matter if the latter isn’t applicable.

The concept sounds simple: put players in positions where they can be successful. However, that’s not always a given either.

But for new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, whether you ask Matt LaFleur, or some of Hafley’s former players like Jordan Fuller, Richard Sherman, or Tashaun Gipson, the ability to keep things simple is where he has excelled as a coach.

“Honestly Haf would put so much stuff in where you knew what to expect when the game came,” said 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson, who played under Hafley for two seasons in Cleveland. “So the game was easy. He is that type of coach that it’s so easy, he’s going to make it easy and you just go out and do your God-given.

“Haf is one of the best that I have been around and I have been around for a long time. He was one of the closer coaches that I had the opportunity to be with. Haf taught me the game from a different lens and I am just so appreciative of him for it. He is a great coach and an even better person.”

One of the issues that the Packers ran into with Joe Barry as the defensive coordinator was there were too often missed assignments, which in the passing game led to coverage breakdowns and easy catch and run opportunities, while on the ground, poor gap integrity resulted in chunk runs.

The root cause of these consistent issues were either a gameplan that players weren’t able to routinely digest, or a breakdown in the communication of the gameplan, whether that be from Barry to the position coaches, or the position coaches to the players. Chances are it was some combination of everything just described.

“You’ve heard the term paralysis by analysis,” said LaFleur when meeting with reporters on Thursday. “Sometimes you give guys too much information and they’re looking at too many things and it’s how do you get it into a singular focus so that they can go out there and play at a high level and play fast and play without hesitation. So, how can you give ‘em, because I do believe there’s a fine line because you want to give ‘em as much information as they can handle.

“But I think part of that is knowing your personnel. Some guys can handle more than others and so you’ve got to get to know your players and try to figure out how much they can do and how much they can handle, and I think when you look at our team, especially this year, I think that was part of our issue early on, early in the season when we were struggling.”

Players having a full understanding of not only what their responsibilities are but also the why behind what they are being asked to do allows them to play faster with their natural abilities taking over. They see, they react, they make a play.

Although on the offensive side of the ball, AJ Dillon and running backs coach Ben Sirmans were working through this exact thing last season. As Sirmans says, “if you think, you stink.” Early on in 2023 and even in 2022, when Dillon was struggling to get going there was hesitancy from oftentimes overthinking. But when he was at his best, he was just playing football and reacting to what he saw.

“The things I believe in defense,” said Hafley, “whether you’re playing 3-4 or 4-3, press man which I do love, zone coverages, vision and break, quarters, match, it comes down to can you take your players who you have and put them in the best position to succeed? And can you take your players and maximize their ability? Like, every player wants to get better, and that’s our job to do.”

There is, of course, a balance that Hafley has to strike. He wants his defenders playing fast but the scheme also can’t be oversimplified, making it easy for opposing offenses to pick apart either.

To a degree, this is what the Packers offense ran into in the early portion of last season. In an effort to help the young players out, LaFleur and the coaching staff tried to simplify things but moving the ball was still an impossible task at times because the defense knew what was coming. Things began to turnaround for this unit once the training wheels came off, so to speak, and the coaches had a better understanding of what each player could handle responsibility-wise.

Especially early on in Hafley’s tenure, different players are going to have a different amount of responsibilities that they will be accountable for, depending on what they can handle. As the season progresses, the obvious hope is that more duties can be added as each player gets more comfortable, allowing the defense as a whole to do more things.

“Our job is to put the players in the best position to succeed and make plays,” added Hafley, “and that’s through scheme, right? People can say a lot of the scheme is simpler, but it’s very detailed.

“We try and make it simple for the players so they can play fast, so they don’t have to think, so they can be confident and not be afraid to make mistakes, so I can get them the information – we can get them the information – that they need, so they can go out there and be fearless and play with their hair on fire and run and hit and cover and get off blocks and tackle. That’s the beauty of the scheme.”

Given what we’ve seen from Hafley’s defenses at his previous stops we can try to glean what we may see more of or less of from the Packers in 2024, such as more press-man, more Cover-1 looks, and a lot more third down blitzes.

While all of that is probably true – to what extent we will have to wait and see – Hafley is going to remain flexible and be willing to adjust based on the opponent and situation. Again, this sounds simple, but it was the week-to-week predictability of the Packers defense in 2023 that contributed to their issues.

When Hafley was asked about where Quay Walker will line up in his 4-3 defense, he said Walker is a playmaker and will go where he can make the most plays.

When asked about sending pressure and how creative does he get with the types of blitzes, Hafley said there are certain down and distances where you have to get “exotic” and some down and distances where dialing up pressures won’t be a must. Hafley also emphasized the importance of generating pressure consistently.

Having just arrived less than two weeks ago to Green Bay, Hafley is still in the discovery process and figuring out how to best utilize the current Packers players. But his responses show a coach that is going to fit his scheme to the players and the opponent rather than saying this is the defense we run, at times fitting square pegs into round holes.

“That’s part of being a great teacher,” Hafley said. “You sit in those meetings sometimes and you go over so many different things and you have this idea and this idea and this idea and you scratch that off, you’ve always got to keep in mind what are they going to be able to learn? What are they going to be able to play really, really fast and excel at?

“I can come up with a great blitz and it might be check it to 3-by-1, 2-by-2, empty, bunch, motion here, and draw it on paper and think I’m the smartest coach alive. And then I can put it in and, if it doesn’t work, I can blame the players. But that’s not good coaching and it’s not good teaching. What can they handle where they can execute at a high level and succeed at it? That’s so important for us to understand is we put stuff in and that’s why you can’t overload them.”

Beyond Xs and Os, energy and communication hallmarks of Jeff Hafley’s defense with Packers

Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley discussed the new Packers defense entering 2024 on Thursday.

Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Green Bay Packers are making the switch from a 3-4 scheme — which has been run under various coordinators in Green Bay since 2009 — to a 4-3 base defense.

However, when Matt LaFleur set out on his defensive coordinator search, the ultimate goal wasn’t to make the Packers be a 4-3 defense. That was, instead, the result of bringing in Hafley. The goal was to find the right fit, the right person, which of course, LaFleur believes is Hafley. It just so happens that Hafley runs a 4-3 scheme.

“I wanted to get who I thought was the best for us,” said LaFleur when speaking with reporters on Thursday. “And that’s not to discredit anybody else. It’s just, every situation’s a little bit different. I equate putting a coaching staff together to, it’s like putting a puzzle together. And how does each piece fit? And that’s an important part of it, the fit, and he just happens to run more of a 4-3 and I felt comfortable with what we had.”

Beyond the 3-4 vs. 4-3 scheme. Beyond the Xs and Os. Beyond what appears to be a high level of flexibility from Hafley to adjust his defensive gameplan week-to-week — all important aspects — LaFleur wanted a new energy on the defensive side of the ball from the coaches, which in turn hopefully impacts the play of this unit in a positive way.

“That is an expectation I have,” said LaFleur of the coaching staff bringing the energy. “If you want your players to bring great energy every day, if you don’t do it as a coach then there’s a problem there. I can’t demand that out of our guys and not expect that out of myself or our coaches. No matter what you’re coaching. Yeah, the energy is an important piece to that.”

The introductory press conference is not an indicator of success for a coach and in February, with everyone at 0-0, there is little pressure, and optimism runs rampant throughout every NFL facility. But if there is such a thing as “winning” a press conference, Hafley did that, and doing so started with the energy he brought and the vibe he established.

Those elements can’t always be described and certainly not quantified, but it’s one of those things where you know it when you see it. There was a different feeling sitting in the media auditorium on Thursday.

Joining Hafley in bringing the juice to the defensive side of the ball is assistant defensive line coach Vince Oghobaase, linebacker coach Anthony Campanille, and pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley, along with Ryan Downard returning as the defensive backs coach and Jason Rebrovich to coach the defensive line.

“Hafley was a big part of the process in terms of getting the right staff around him,” said LaFleur. “Guys that he not necessarily knew but guys that he respected, that he trusts are going to be able to carry out the vision for the defense, and I’m excited for you guys to get to know these guys.

“I think you’ll see a lot of high-energy coaches, and I think that’ll help our players bring out that energy that we need to be able to go out and compete to the best of our ability on Sundays.”

Energy is great and an important element to have, but it means very little if strong relationships aren’t established and maintained.

Building those relationships with players is something that Hafley has prioritized throughout his coaching career. Doing so starts with open communication. This communication aspect is a two-way street for Hafley. He will give feedback and he will receive feedback with the ultimate goal being all around improvement.

“I think there has to be great communication but I think first there has to be great relationships. These guys aren’t just going to trust me when I walk into a room because I’m the defensive coordinator. I have to earn that from them and they have to earn it from me. Once you establish that trust and you develop a relationship, then you can have hard conversations.

“I have said it before: I picked Ronde Barber’s brain on how to play nickel and I learned more from him than any coach I’ve ever been around. He’s probably one of the best nickels – probably is the best nickel – to ever play the game in that scheme. Why wouldn’t I ask him those questions? It’s the same with Sherm. I’ve talked to Sherm quite a bit as I’ve taken this job because I have a great relationship with him.”

Hafley and this Packers’ defensive coaching staff is tasked with changing the narrative, which has been that while there is a lot of talent on that side of the ball, this unit has never consistently played up to its full potential.

To accomplish that, there of course will be schematic changes, and ones that go way beyond switching to a 4-3 defense. But truly seeing that turnaround take place will begin in the coming months with what happens off the field rather than on. For Hafley and his staff, that entails bringing the energy while fostering relationships through clear lines of communication.

If he can successfully do all of that, then the sky’s the limit for this Packers team if a consistently good defense can be paired with the potential that the offensive side of the ball possesses.

“I think you’re going to get a lot of coaching,” said Hafley, “and I think you’re going to get, I think you’re going to see a lot of juice on the field from that staff, but that doesn’t mean we’re yelling. I want to be demanding but never demeaning. I want guys out there who have energy and enjoy being around, we’re going to have some players who run around and run to the ball and get after it, and our coaches need to be the same way. And that’s really important to me.

“So I think there’s a part of being cerebral, but when we get a chance to get out on that field, we’ve got to go. But I don’t think we’re going to be the type of staff – I know we’re not going to be – that motivates through fear at all. These guys are going to know we care about them, that we want what’s best for them, and that we’re in it with them. We’re going to push them, and they’re going to push us.”

Top things to know from Jeff Hafley’s introductory press conference with Packers

The big things to know from Jeff Hafley’s introductory press conference with the Packers on Thursday.

New Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley met with the media for almost a half-hour on Thursday. Hafley, the former Boston College head coach, is replacing Joe Barry at defensive coordinator in Green Bay. In his first public appearance in Green Bay, Hafley preached teaching, communicating, player development, simplifying and collaboration as foundations to his coaching style.

Here are the top things to know from Hafley’s introductory presser at Lambeau Field:

— Said Matt LaFleur was one of the top reasons why he wanted to come to Green Bay. Previously worked with Matt’s brother, and Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh. Complimented Brian Gutekunst for talent acquisition, especially in recent years. Excited about working with a team that came together so strongly to end last year. “It’s the Green Bay Packers, this is the mecca of the football world to me.”

— Beliefs on defense: “It comes down to, can you take your players and put them in the best positions to succeed? And can you take your players and maximize their ability?” Accomplished through scheme, but also simplicity. Wants players playing fast and fearless.

— Not interested in looking back on what did or did not work for previous Packers defenses. Wants to “move forward” and “try to improve it.”

— “You have to get after the quarterback.” Says there are down and distances where you must be aggressive in terms of creating pressures.

— Hafley admitted “college football has changed.” Dealt with COVID-19, transfer portal and NIL during his first three seasons at Boston College.

— What’s he looking for in a post safety? “Guy who can erase things.” Prevent big plays. Has to tackle. Has to rally to the ball. Sideline to sideline, turnover-creator. Communication. Man coverage. Size isn’t as important, can be between 190-205 pounds in general.

— Hafley believes new linebackers coach Anthony Campanile is “one of the best coaches” he’s been around. “I think the players are going to love him.”

— On Vince Oghobaase: Demanding, coaches to a standard, great at forming relationships, communicating, sees the big picture. Past experience together with 49ers and at Boston College.

— Preached teaching defense to make it simple to understand. Players play fast and aggressive when it’s simple. Also preached earning trust by forming relationships. Provides groundwork for having tough conversations, and the ability to learn from players as coaches. Mentioned how much he learned for players such as Darrelle Revis, Ronde Barber and Richard Sherman.

— “We can’t give up free plays. We have to make them earn it.” Key is finding what the players can handle and execute at a high level.

— Hafley has been in touch with Packers players. Still working through the whole defensive roster. Not willing to pinpoint cornerstones of the defense just yet. “I’m excited to get my hands on a lot of these guys.”

— Not tied to a particular scheme. Wants what is best for the players. Will be a collaboration with coaches and players.

— “Quay is a talented player.” Says the defense will be built around his playmaking ability, but they don’t know his position just yet.

— Zone coverages are built on “vision and break.” Wants 2-3 players going to the ball every time it’s thrown.

— On matching personnel: “The faster they get, they faster we have to get. The bigger they get, the bigger we have to get.”

— Believes he has guys who will be good on the edge in his scheme. Wants “four best pass-rushers on the field” on third down.

— Hafley said he is currently living in the hotel across from Lambeau Field. Wife and kids will be eventually moving to Green Bay.