Can Jeff Hafley Overcome Packers’ Biggest Weakness?

The Packers have prioritized adding elite homegrown talent around quarterback Jordan Love over the past several seasons, and despite a top-of-the-market offseason signing in 2024, a major concern remains for Green Bay’s defense.

Safety Xavier McKinney’s arrival was a watershed moment for the Packers’ defense in 2024, but as the 2025 season nears, there are even bigger questions looming for Green Bay’s front seven that largely went unanswered this past offseason.

Why Packers’ Jeff Hafley is ‘X-Factor’ for 2025

Given that the Packers sat out the top of the edge rusher market in free agency and did not prioritize selecting one of the top prospects at the position early in this year’s class, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is going to need to find ways to scheme up a pass rush with a stable of underachieving edge defenders.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Hafley is the Packers’ biggest “X-Factor” for the season ahead.

“What more could Hafley do than rank fifth in the NFL in total defense, seventh against the run and sixth in fewest points allowed,” Demovsky writes for ESPN. “All in his first season at the helm? If he can find a consistent pass rush, then this thing could go to the next level. Hafley would prefer to follow the Eagles’ model of getting home with four, but that didn’t generate enough pressure last season. The Packers ranked 17th in the NFL in pressures last season, according to ESPN Research. Given that they didn’t add a significant pass rusher in free agency or early in the draft, it will be up to Hafley — and perhaps new defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington — to find a way.”

Hafley’s defense made major strides in 2024, and by season’s end were a driving force of Green Bay’s run to the postseason.

However, pressuring the quarterback, or a lack of pressure, became an Achilles Heel.

If the Packers’ defense is going to make major strides this season, players such as Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness are going to need to become disruptive focal points up front or Hafley’s scheme is going to need to find creative ways to pressure opposing quarterbacks.