Green Bay’s defense made notable strides under coordinator Jeff Hafley during the 2024 season, ranking fifth in yards allowed and sixth in points allowed. The team also achieved its best run-defense performance in 15 years, finishing seventh in that category. Notably, they held the Eagles to 22 points in the NFC Wild Card playoff, before Philadelphia surged with big offensive outputs in subsequent rounds en route to a Super Bowl victory. Despite these successes, the drive to improve further remains strong within the unit.
Xavier McKinney Embraces Leadership Role to Push Defensive Excellence
All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney supports Hafley’s vision and shares the ambition to elevate the Packers defense to elite status. Speaking after an OTA practice, McKinney outlined a clear goal for 2025: to create a defense that constantly forces turnovers and plays at an intense level unmatched by opposing offenses.
That next step I think is to have one of the best defenses in the league,
McKinney said.
That’s what we’re aiming for. We’re trying to be a defense that always creates turnovers, that plays with a level of intensity where the offense can’t match us, and I think we got the guys to do that.
—Xavier McKinney, Packers Safety
It’s going to be fun.
McKinney’s individual performance will be critical in this effort. He recorded a career-high eight interceptions last season, ranking second in the league, and remains fully committed to sustaining that elite level. His personal aspiration to become a Hall of Famer fuels his relentless work ethic.
I’m not going to let off the gas for nothing or nobody,
he stressed.
That same intensity, that same energy, it’s going to stay the same.
—Xavier McKinney, Packers Safety
Improving the Pass Rush: A Critical Piece of the Puzzle
Another key element for boosting the Packers defense is strengthening the pass rush. While the Packers tied for eighth in sacks in 2024, those numbers do not fully reflect the pressure needed to disrupt high-powered offenses consistently. In late-season losses to division rivals Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, opposing quarterbacks Jared Goff and Sam Darnold faced 84 pass attempts but were only sacked twice, illustrating a challenge to overcome.
Green Bay anticipates growth from young pass rushers Lukas Van Ness and Karl Brooks, along with the health and impact of veteran interior rushers Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt. The addition of DeMarcus Covington as defensive line coach and rookies Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver also aim to bolster pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Edgerrin Cooper’s Development Adds Depth and Dynamism
Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is expected to make a significant defensive impact as a full-time player in 2025. After battling injuries in his rookie year, Cooper showed potential worthy of Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration by the end of the season. His offseason transformation, including gaining 10 pounds of muscle to reach 240 pounds, enhances his strength without sacrificing his explosiveness.
Cooper underscored his confidence in maintaining his quickness despite the added weight.
Nah, it’s still there, Cooper said about his speed.
That was my main focus to make sure I’m feeling good at that weight. I’m fine with it and I’ll stick with it.
—Edgerrin Cooper, Linebacker
McKinney praised Cooper’s progress and dedication.
He had a hell of a first year, and he’s just going to keep building,
McKinney remarked.
He knows how talented he is, so we’ve just got to keep pushing him. Like, he got bigger. You could tell that he’s serious about what he wants to do and he’s being very intentional about it as well.
—Xavier McKinney, Packers Safety
Secondary Versatility and the Uncertainty Surrounding Jaire Alexander
The Packers possess a versatile secondary, featuring players capable of filling multiple roles. This depth is an asset for handling injuries but also presents the challenge of determining the optimal position for each player. The situation of cornerback Jaire Alexander remains unsettled, causing some uncertainty.
While McKinney expressed hope for Alexander’s return, the situation remains unclear.
We would all like him back,
he said. —Xavier McKinney, Packers Safety
Meanwhile, newcomer Nate Hobbs has impressed with his energetic play and positive influence on teammates.
High Expectations and the Importance of Attention to Detail
With a young and talented roster, the Packers defense enters the 2025 season with considerable optimism. Linebacker Cooper highlighted the unit’s potential once all players are aligned and consistently performing together.
We’re all young, so I can’t wait,
Cooper said.
We’ve got a lot of impactful players, so once we get everything dialed in, everybody playing with each other, it’s going to be a good season.
—Edgerrin Cooper, Linebacker
The final aspect of improvement is fine-tuning the details, a discipline led by veterans like McKinney that can turn solid performances into elite ones. McKinney emphasized the value of continuity with coordinator Hafley remaining at the helm and the team’s collective focus on correcting small errors.
I’m happy that Haf is still here,
McKinney said.
Everybody’s happy that he’s still here, that the defense is still the same. We’re just finding little, small things to correct and make sure that it’s clean.
—Xavier McKinney, Packers Safety
As Xavier McKinney leads the charge in advancing the Packers defense improvement, the team prepares for a 2025 campaign aimed at challenging for NFL elite defensive status. The combination of skill, youth, coaching stability, and determined leadership projects a promising future for Green Bay’s defense.