All of the focus this offseason has been on the offense, specifically the quarterback position, for the Green Bay Packers. It is hard to ignore such a seismic change, as the team is moving on from Aaron Rodgers. He was traded to the New York Jets and Jordan Love will be tasked with filling the enormous void in the lineup.
How Love handles the transition from backup to starter has garnered a ton of headlines this offseason. However, there are some players, such as EDGE rusher Preston Smith, that are looking to change the narrative.
During a recent appearance on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access, Smith was attempting to shift the focus to the defensive side of the ball. He has put the onus on him and his unit to help carry the club during this time of transition.
“Well, personally, we feel like last year was one of our best seasons as a defense,” Smith said, entering his fifth year with Green Bay. “With so much talent on our defense, we know we have to step it up a lot, and knowing we have a young quarterback, we have to be tremendous this year. We have to make sure we step up and do our part to help (Love) to get comfortable out there on the field. Help him get the ball in great situations and get stops to let him get comfortable back there and make sure we put him in great situations. It’s not just about him putting us in great situations, but helping us be comfortable to put him in great situations with the ball in great field position and getting stops. So he can go down the field and get us touchdowns and do his thing and gain his confidence throughout the season.”
There are certainly a few things that a young quarterback benefits from having as he gets his feet wet; a strong running game and a dominant defense. The Packers could very well have both. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon have recently been named the best running back duo in the NFL and the pieces are in place for Green Bay to have an excellent defense.
On paper, there is a lot to like about that unit. Smith combines with Rashan Gary, when healthy, to form one of the better pass-rushing duos in the NFL. The Packers were underwhelming in that regard last season outside of those two, but will receive some help this season in the form of 2023 first-round pick, Lukas Van Ness.
Kenny Clark remains a force along the defensive line and it is fair to assume a second-year jump will come from Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker. Those two are key to the team improving against the run, where they struggled last season.
The secondary is anchored by star cornerback Jaire Alexander. Rasul Douglas and Eric Stokes round out a very solid trio that will attempt to compensate for what is a shaky safety situation. While the defense will be key in the team finding success, Smith has liked what he’s seen from Love in the early going.
“I believe he has a lot of potential, athletic ability, throwing ability and, overall, he has a lot of great quarterback attributes. I feel like he’ll be great. You just have to let him get in there and get comfortable and get the floor. I have seen him make some great athletic throws. I’ve seen him do a lot of things in practice where I was like, ‘Aye, that kid is almost ready’ in the past. I feel like, now, the Packers believe in him, the team believes in him, a lot of guys believe in him. We believe he’s ready to lead this team on offense.”
If Love plays up to the level that his teammates and coaches believe he is capable of, the Packers are going to surprise a lot of people during the 2023 season.