GREEN BAY – Optimism is common this time of year, as teams put a wrap on the previous season and start looking forward.
But sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish what's just talk from a genuinely positive outlook.
Make no mistake, the optimism surrounding Year 2 of Jeff Hafley's defense in Green Bay is very real, and it stems from not just the Packers' improvement in one season, but also the youth that established itself in 2024.
"I'm not going to lie: We're going to be dangerous," rookie safety Javon Bullard said as he cleaned out his locker last week. "We're going to be dangerous. And I'm not just saying that. We're going to be a special group.
"Our class, the vets that we still have, I have a tremendous amount of faith in us and what we're going to bring to the table."
Personnel-wise, a trio of draft picks in Bullard, fellow safety Evan Williams and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper developed into regulars and impact players, with Cooper's contributions (13 tackles for loss, 3½ sacks, four passes defensed, one INT) earning the most recognition. The second-round pick out of Texas A&M was twice named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and he finished the regular season as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month.
They joined a unit anchored by veteran addition Xavier McKinney on the back end, and mainstays Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary and Quay Walker, among others, in the front seven. Keisean Nixon also took over as the team's No. 1 cornerback in place of an injured Jaire Alexander, and the depth at other spots passed various tests due to injuries along the way.
Compared to Green Bay's 2023 defense, Hafley's unit improved from 28th to seventh in rushing yards allowed, 17th to fifth in total yards allowed, and 10th to sixth in points allowed, while nearly doubling its takeaways from 17 to 31.
The turnaround was nothing short of significant, particularly for a first-year defensive coordinator.
"I'm a big fan of just everything he came with and really just the culture he set foot, as soon as he stepped into the door," Williams said of Hafley. "He made it clear off the rip that he wanted us to play free, play physical and just play fast. I feel like my play style really fits into that mold.
"So yeah, you had a lot of guys that just came in and bought in immediately. I think that showed."
General Manager Brian Gutekunst even admitted what Hafley accomplished, both in terms of culture and results, exceeded his expectations because he figured Hafley might need more time to readjust to the NFL after coming from a four-year stint in the NCAA as Boston College's head coach.
He also emphasized, as Head Coach Matt LaFleur did at season's end, that the defense put on a winning performance at Philadelphia in the NFC Wild Card round.
"I thought Jeff Hafley did an amazing job coming in here in Year 1," Gutekunst said. "Those guys really grew together, and they were a unit, and I thought we were playing our best football on defense at the end of the year.
"The strides we took during the season really were really, really impressive. The jumps. And I'm excited to see what he can do Year 2."
One caveat: The Packers are hoping Hafley doesn't get stolen away, as he's one of at least 15 candidates who has interviewed for the Jets' head coaching job.
Another: The unit did have deficiencies that must be addressed.
The pass rush was hit or miss and particularly struggled against the NFC's top teams (Eagles, Lions, Vikings), none of whom the Packers beat in six tries.
Hafley got creative by simulating blitzes and trying to keep opposing offenses guessing as to who was rushing, without compromising the coverage numbers-wise, and all that scheming had its share of success.
But the ability to generate steady pressure from a traditional front four will be a focal point heading into next season, both in terms of personnel and coaching, with a change at defensive line coach in the works following Jason Rebrovich's dismissal.
"I can say this: I definitely do love the system we're in," said defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, whom Gutekunst called the defense's most consistent interior rusher. He had five sacks despite missing three games this season and playing less than full strength in others. "For sure it fits us a lot.
"How do I feel about it? … I mean, it's going to be wicked next year."
Discipline penalties, both pre- and post-snap, were an issue that never seemed to get solved as well. Other questions include Alexander's uncertain future and several pending free agents on whom contract decisions must be made.
Run-stuffer T.J. Slaton is the most prominent name on that list, followed by linebackers Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson, cornerback Eric Stokes and other depth pieces in the secondary like Zayne Anderson, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell.
But however it shakes out, the bulk of the defense's core will remain intact, while 2024 draft picks Ty'Ron Hopper at linebacker and Kitan Oladapo at safety are waiting in the wings.
"I think the future's bright," Nixon said. "We had 31 turnovers … that was just a start. That's off of just buying into what the coaches were bringing in."
Oh, they bought in alright. Now it's onward and upward.
"When all our pieces are executing, we could just take over games," Williams said. "I'm definitely going to keep that picture in my mind.
"Hopefully we'll have most of the same pieces and if we can execute our game plan … we can be real dangerous."
