PALM BEACH, Fla. – Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur spoke to the media on Tuesday morning during the NFL Annual Meeting at Breakers Palm Beach.
Here are 10 things we learned:
- Packers plan to capitalize on Nate Hobbs' versatility.
The signing of the former Las Vegas cornerback earlier this month was a huge investment not only in the future of Green Bay's defense but also the flexibility of its secondary.
Although Hobbs played primarily in the slot during his four years with the Raiders, the Packers see a 6-foot, 195-pound playmaker capable of manning the boundary.
It mirrors Green Bay's approach with Hobbs' former Raider teammate, Keisean Nixon, who moved from nickel to outside corner during the second half of last season due to injuries.
"I know that a lot of people just view him as a nickel. Well, we think he can play on the outside and play on the perimeter," said LaFleur of Hobbs. "I just love the guy's mentality. I love how he plays the game. He plays it the right way — he's tough, he's competitive, and he brings an edge."
- Green Bay hopes to find a happy medium with Tucker Kraft.
LaFleur acknowledged the third-year tight end's best attribute – his aggression – is also what makes him susceptible to injury.
That's something the Packers want to avoid with their burgeoning tight end, whose never-say-die attention contributed to catching 50 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
A testament to his toughness, Kraft has yet to miss a game during his first two NFL seasons but wore a red non-contact jersey in practice during the first half of last season.
LaFleur said a point of emphasis for Kraft heading into next season will be "picking and choosing" his spots when it comes to delivering and absorbing contact in games.
"When Tuck gets the ball, usually good things happen," LaFleur said. "He's a powerful dude, he runs extremely hard, I love how he finishes. One thing I think he's got to learn, just in terms of when he does finish, he doesn't have to try to take somebody's head off every time. He gets a little out of control at times. I think that's a balance, but the mentality is exactly what you want."
- The Packers did a "deep dive" on drops after last season.
LaFleur didn't go into detail about what the coaches unearthed in that study but felt the drops were focus-related, not an issue with effort or skill.
He remains confident the young receiving corps will bounce back despite finishing tied for the third-most drops (33) last season, according to Pro Football Reference.
"We had a ton of drops, and that's an area that we have to clean up," LaFleur said. "A lot of things happen. There's a lot of variables … but I think that we've got a pretty good plan going into next season."
- The Packers don't expect any lingering issues with Jordan Love's knee.
LaFleur said the Packers' franchise quarterback didn't require any post-season procedures on the knee he first injured in Green Bay's regular-season opener in Brazil.
Love missed two games before returning Week 4 against Minnesota. After the season, Love told Kay Adams in a February interview he felt the MCL sprain then contributed to the groin injury he sustained in Jacksonville in late October.
"It's the NFL and guys are gonna have to deal with knicks and things of that nature and make the best of that throughout the course of the season," LaFleur said. "He's just gotta try to gut through it and I do admire his toughness. I think he showed that, being able to just battle through and be available for the most part for most of the games for his team."
- The Packers are looking forward to a second season with Malik Willis as QB2.
Acquired in a trade with Tennessee at the end of training camp, Willis led the Packers into Nissan Stadium less than a month later and beat his former team in Love's absence.
The former third-round pick was effective in two spot starts and a relief appearance against the Jaguars, winning all three contests, and he nearly pulled out a Week 18 comeback win over Chicago. In seven total appearances, Willis fashioned a 124.8 passer rating after throwing for 550 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
"He's just calm, cool, collected," LaFleur said. "I'm excited to have an offseason to work with him and really try to focus on some of the things where we feel like he can get a little bit better."
- The Packers expect Jordan Morgan to push for a starting job this offseason.
The 2024 first-round pick was an entrenched starting left tackle at the University of Arizona but mainly rotated with Sean Rhyan at right guard prior to a season-ending shoulder injury.
It's possible Morgan will do that again this summer, but don't be surprised if he pushes Rasheed Walker for the starting left tackle post, either.
"It's going to be a great competition," LaFleur said. "Him and 'Sheed are going to battle it out and hopefully push each other to be that much better."
- The upcoming NFL Draft will impact the start of the Packers' offseason program.
The team will conduct the first week of its offseason program virtually later this month due to the NFL Draft being held in Green Bay.
As has been customary during his previous six seasons as head coach, LaFleur said he plans to give players the final week of the offseason program off to help them prepare for the long season ahead.
"We're going to do the first week virtually and then we'll hit the ground running," LaFleur said. "We'll probably cut it a week early, as well. I just think the totality of the NFL season is a long time, so I want to give those guys a chance to get away before we come back."
- Luke Getsy is bringing new ideas to the offensive mix.
The longtime Packers assistant coach returned to the team this offseason after serving the past three years as the offensive coordinator in Chicago and Las Vegas.
According to LaFleur, Getsy is already making his presence felt in his current position as senior offensive assistant.
"He's a guy that I have a lot of respect for. Not only as a football coach, but as a man," LaFleur said. "He's extremely organized, really smart, I think he sees the game the right way. He's brought a lot of cool ideas as we went through all our cutups as a staff. He's going to bring a lot of value to us."
- LaFleur can't wait to see more of MarShawn Lloyd.
The Packers' 2024 third-round pick played in just one game last season due to a recurring hamstring injury and a late-season appendectomy while he was nearing a return.
Green Bay finished fifth in rushing last year thanks to Josh Jacobs' Pro Bowl season and contributions from second-year running backs Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks.
While that trio is set to return, LaFleur is excited about what the 5-foot-10, 226-pound Lloyd could bring to the Packers' backfield.
"(I'd) love to see what he can do in that area … and how he can affect the game," LaFleur said. "That's our job as coaches, is try to figure that out and put the best pieces out there to maximize that part of the game."
- Demarcus Covington's experience as a defensive coordinator appealed to LaFleur.
Covington, hired to replace Jason Rebrovich as the Packers' new defensive line coach, served as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots last year.
"I know he's held in pretty high regard around the league, and I really like the demeanor that he's coming in with," LaFleur said. "He's a technician, knows ball, knows a lot of ball. I think he's well-versed. I think having that coordinator background is big as well."
