Change Is Coming For the Green Bay Packers Defensive Line

Before the 2009 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers ran a 4-3 defensive scheme. But that changed when then-head coach Mike McCarthy hired Dom Capers as his new defensive coordinator. Capers brought with him a 3-4 defensive scheme. That scheme, or at least a form of it, continued to be run after Capers departed in 2017. Mike Pettine and Joe Barry both ran a form of a 3-4 defense. But now, with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the 3-4 departs, and the 4-3 enters. The new scheme means that the Green Bay Packers defensive line will have some learning to do in this year’s training camp.

Packers Defensive Line Will Look Different In 2024

One of the reasons that head coach Matt LaFleur was drawn to Jeff Hafley during his search for a new coordinator was Hafley’s background. Hafley has been an NFL assistant with three different franchises: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland, Browns, and San Francisco 49ers. The Buccaneers and 49ers both ran 4-3 defenses, while the Browns ran a 3-4 scheme.

Hafley’s scheme will be based on running a 4-3. But don’t be surprised to see some 3-4 during the season. By utilizing both, he will be able to gauge what is best for the Packers defense. However, that will put more on the plate of the Green Packers defensive line when it comes to adjusting to a new coordinator.

Green Bay Packers Defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, along with new assistant defensive line coach Vince Oghobaase, will be tasked to educate the defensive line on the new style of defense. For some, it won’t take long to adapt. But for others, it might be like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

The Interior of the Defensive Line

As the Packers longtime starting nose tackle, Kenny Clark has made a name for himself as a top-end interior pass rusher on the defensive line. During his eight-year career, all with the Packers, he has registered 34 sacks. With how impressive Clark has been, many might think that the new defensive scheme might cripple Clark’s possible contribution. But we don’t think that will be the case at all.

Running a 4-3 will take Clark out of being a key piece in stopping the run (a weakness in his game) and will help him in passing situations. Expect Hafley to move him all over the line to make sure Clark gets quality matchups and allow him to do what he does best.

For fellow Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, playing in a 4-3 defense will be very foreign. As a standout defensive lineman with the University of Georgia, Wyatt played in a 3-4 alignment. That continued in his first two seasons with Packers. But now, after registering five and a half sacks in 2023, Wyatt will be asked to learn a new scheme. Don’t expect much of a learning curve for Wyatt. He displayed a good burst off the line last season and that shouldn’t be hampered in the new scheme.

One player that might have some trouble in the new scheme is TJ Slaton. At 6’4″ and weighing 330 pounds, Slaton has the build of a nose tackle. It is a position that he frequently played, when Clark was moved around on the defensive line, and played well last season. While Slaton has great athletic ability for a man his size, it might be a challenge for him to adapt to Hafley’s new defensive alignment.

The Edge

2023 first-round draft pick Lukas Van Ness should be a major benefactor in the switch to the 4-3 defense. Selected as an outside linebacker for the former Packers defense, Van Ness had a strong first season registering four sacks. But while Van Ness did his best to adapt to standing up, there is no doubt that he will be better with his hand in the dirt. While at Iowa, he flourished playing in their 4-3 scheme. Van Ness even had success lining up inside. The switch should only make him better.

Fellow pass rushers Rashan Gary and Preston Smith should also have no problem adapting to the new scheme. Gary was a down lineman at Michigan, so lining up with his hand on the ground shouldn’t be an issue. Smith has played mostly as an outside linebacker in the NFL but has the size to be a defensive end in a 4-3. Plus, it is highly doubtful that he will be asked to drop into coverage like Pettine and Barry asked him to do so frequently.

The Packers second-year edge pass rushers that should benefit from the change are Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks. Both Wooden and Brooks were odd fits in the former 3-4 defensive scheme. Wooden didn’t have the required weight to be a 3-4 defensive end or the athletic ability to play a 3-4 outside linebacker. He should find a home at defensive end in the new 4-3. Brooks was big enough to play inside in the old scheme, but he has a lot of pass-rush ability, and Hafley’s scheme should help him become even more dangerous as a pass rusher. We expect big things out of Brooks in 2024.

Drafting for the New Scheme

Many draft experts believe that general manager Brian Gutekunst might add an edge rusher to the Packers defensive line in the mid-rounds of this year’s NFL Draft. But it wouldn’t be surprising if he leaves the position alone. Wooden and Brooks are valuable backups and should see more playing time in the new scheme. They also have Kingsley Enagbare and 2023 undrafted free agent Brenton Cox at the position.

Gutekunst could add a defensive tackle to the Packers defensive line early on in the draft though. Clark and Wyatt should be solid starters, but the depth is questionable, especially if Slaton has a hard time adapting to the new scheme. Behind Slaton, the Packers do have former 2022 seventh-round pick, Jonathan Ford. But if Slaton can’t adapt to the new scheme, it is doubtful that Ford will. Expect Gutekunst to use a third or possibly a fourth-round pick to bolster the interior of the defensive line.