The Green Bay Packers are on the precipice of being a very good defensive team. On paper, the pieces are in place for this team to be one of the most dominant units in the league. Unfortunately, the game isn’t played on paper; on the field, the results have been a mixed bag.
The Packers’ run defense was a sore spot for the team in 2022. Teams steamrolled them on the ground regularly and people are concerned that will occur again this upcoming season. But, if there is one thing that the green and gold can rely on, it is their passing defense.
Green Bay’s passing defense last season was among the best in the league. Anchored by star cornerback Jaire Alexander, this is a difficult unit to move the ball against. Rasul Douglas and Eric Strokes round out a very strong trio on the perimeter and in the slot.
However, despite how good the cornerback performance has been, the safety position has been poor. That is why the safety position has landed at No. 1 for the Packers’ biggest weakness heading into training camp this year according to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report.
It is hard to argue against that selection as the safety position is concerning. Darnell Savage Jr. has fallen well short of expectations after being a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Louisville. He is a major liability in coverage, giving up a passer rating of 114.2 and 10.1 yards per target.
Adrian Amos, his partner last season, wasn’t much better. He surrendered a passer rating of 107.7 and three touchdowns, so the Packers opted to move on. Amos has since joined the New York Jets and is no longer an option to be retained.
Taking his spot in the lineup is Rudy Ford. Ford also struggled, allowing a high passer rating and three touchdowns. But, in an expanded role, maybe he will find a level of comfortability and production that he did not find as a part-time role player.
The only additions that the Packers made this offseason were Tarvarius Moore and Jonathan Owens. Owens has starting experience from last season with the Houston Texans, but he was also abysmal in pass coverage, allowing an eye-popping passer rating of 128.5.
Having a last line of defense as shaky as the Packers currently have has to give the coaching staff some pause. Hopefully, someone steps up during training camp and takes control of the last line of defense, otherwise, things could get ugly again.