A broad look at the approach and strategy of new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley

A broad look at the approach and strategy of new Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley

In 2024, Jeff Hafley, the new defensive coordinator for the Packers, will likely introduce a new strategy to Green Bay along with a new style.

A 4-3 defence was Hafley’s style at Boston College. Robert Saleh, the head coach of the New York Jets, also runs a base scheme. Saleh was Hafley’s defensive coordinator during his last stint in the NFL, when he was coaching the 49ers’ defensive backs.

Nonetheless, Hafley has worked in a number of defensive schemes over his career, including a 3-4, having held positions as the defensive backs coach for seasons in Tampa Bay and Cleveland as well as a year as the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Hafley recently talked on the value of flexibility in an interview. In terms of single high safety looks, Boston College was the leader in college football in 2021, 2022, and 2023. However, Hafley started using Cover-2 more frequently and stressed the need of switching up coverages, such as press man, to keep the quarterback off-balanced.

Hafley said that the location of the hash markings in the NFL makes it a different game from college. This may also indicate that not all of Hafley’s methods from his time at Boston College and Ohio State will apply to the Packers in the NFL.

In an interview with Next Up, Hafley stated, “We’ve played more middle closed defence with a safety in the middle of the field than probably most people in college football.” “I get it for the quarterback run games, but most people are 2-high or quarter-based. That’s also the direction that we’ve been trending. However, I have accomplished a great deal, at least when it comes to the middle-closed with four down linemen. Quite similar to what we did at Ohio State and San Francisco, and it’s a common practice in the NFL. However, I’ve begun to adjust. Construct several one-high shells that function similarly to two-high shells and draw other players into the box.

Simply said, the quarterback run game needs to end. It’s almost like a new game when I talk about defence with my NFL buddies. The NFL quarterback will run the ball at crucial situations, such as in the red zone, on third down, or during a championship game, am I right? You just cannot perform that every week. You need to take another guy into consideration. Thus, you must alter.

Thus, even though Hafley played 4-3 defence for Ohio State and Boston College, I wouldn’t exactly say it’s certain that the Packers will adopt this defensive scheme. Ultimately, Hafley’s goal is to place the defenders for success according to their skill sets, and his experience coaching a range of defences has enabled him to do that.

“I place a lot of emphasis on fundamentals and technique, but if a man can play at a high level, don’t attempt to mould him into what you believe he should be. Hafley stated, via the Wisconsin State Journal, “Just get him better.” “I attempt to steal stuff from players all the time. I’ve always placed a lot of value on picking players’ brains and attempting to absorb knowledge.

“I think I’ve learnt as much from players as I have from extremely exceptional ones. Since they are more experienced than I am in the real world, I attempt to get inside their heads to see how they act, think, and perceive the world. It appears on tape, but it’s not the same.

I think I’ve learned just as much from excellent players as I have from other players. Since they are more experienced than I am in the real world, I attempt to get inside their heads to see how they act, think, and perceive the world. It appears on tape, but it’s not the same.

Given the skill sets already present on the team and Brian Gutekunst’s preference for big-bodied edge rushers, if the Packers decide to switch to a 4-3 formation, the defensive front should adjust to the new formation quite easily. This should be a manageable transition for this group overall, though the Packers may need to adjust their summer priorities by acquiring another TJ Slaton-like presence in the middle or increasing the depth of their edge rushers.

But this offseason, inside linebacker—where three players must be on the field when the Packers line up in their standard defense—becomes even more important.

Quay Walker, De’Vondre Campbell, Isaiah McDuffie, and Christian Young are the current inside linebacker starters for the team. Additionally, the Packers may decide to let go of Campbell this offseason in order to clear $2.6 million in cap space, which would increase an already pressing need.

Before being picked by Green Bay, McDuffie spent his last two seasons at Boston College playing for Hafley. As the unit leader in this 4-3 defence, the middle linebacker’s duties include dropping into coverage and supporting the run. While the weak-side linebacker frequently has greater coverage duties, the strong-side linebacker may be more responsible for run defence and blitzing.

Under Hafley, the linebackers have demonstrated an amazing ability to restrict possibilities across the middle and still provide depth, all while causing some confusion around the line of scrimmage.

Although Gutekunst made improving the safety position a top priority this offseason, there is now even more of a need, particularly in terms of finding a rangy free safety and a safe player who can play in the box should Hafley decide to use more single-high looks.

Zayne Anderson, Anthony Johnson, and Benny Sapp now make up the Packers’ safety room.

No matter what scheme Hafley chooses, tackling will be prioritised. The season before Hafley’s one season at Ohio State, the Buckeyes’ defence allowed 72nd yards per play, placing them in 72nd place. They finished first after one season with Hafley leading the defence. Their improvement in tackling, an area where the Packers have been incredibly inconsistent, was a major factor in that turnaround.

We discuss more than just sprinting to the ball, Hafley stated, as reported by The Athletic. To me, the approach is the most crucial component of tackling. Ryan had me talk about tackling in front of the entire team when I stood up in front of them.

I believe that people talk about the finish, driving your legs, and wrapping up far too much. However, a lot of people put themselves in situations where they are completely out of position to make a move. Every action we take is centred around tracking, determining the angle and approach, and positioning oneself to have the best opportunity of making the tackle. We discuss that in every play, whether or not we’re performing a live period.

Whether a defence employs a 4-3 or a 3-4 doesn’t matter as much in the NFL these days. In any case, most defences use nickel situations where the offence tries to spread things out. However, the Packers still need the right players for when they do play base defence, and going to a 4-3 alignment highlights the linebacker position even more and might alter Gutekunst’s approach to it this offseason.

Having the appropriate person at the wheel is more crucial than the plan. Hafley’s history indicates that two major boxes will be checked: his willingness to adapt and his ability to make the gameplan understandable for his players—two things that had been lacking in Green Bay previously. Ultimately, we will have to wait and see how things play out with Hafley leading the Packers defence.

Coach Hafley in San Francisco, Richard Sherman, a cornerback, said of Richard Sherman, “His preparation is some of the best I’ve seen.” He ranks right up there in terms of preparation, film analysis, and how clear and straightforward the gameplan sounds. I’ve had some excellent defensive back coaches, defensive coaches, and defensive minds. How simple he makes it for men to comprehend. He gives you a clear image of what to expect, and it’s all about carrying it out.