Reasons for optimism about Packers pass-rush entering 2025
Here are a few reasons that the pass-rush could be better in 2025:
Healthy Kenny Clark: The Pro Bowler injured his foot in Week 1 and then labored through one of his worst professional seasons before having surgery to fix the issue in January. Clark isn't getting any younger, and injuries are a concern for older players, but it's reasonable to think he could bounce back in a big way in 2025. Clark averaged over 50 pressures a year between 2022 and 2023; he had only 34 in 2024, and most were nothing more than hurries. Expect more pressure and disruption created by No. 97 this year.
Lukas Van Ness in Year 3: The 2023 first-round pick had a mostly quiet and disappointing first two NFL seasons. But Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire did some digging and discovered that many first-round picks at edge rusher break out in a notable way in Year 3. Can Van Ness do the same? He's going to get chances to rush the quarterback from the edge and inside. If Van Ness can become a reliable disruptor from multiple alignments, the Packers' pass-rush will be in good shape.
Rashan Gary in Year 2 with Hafley: Gary's production and efficiency as a rusher took a slight dip in his first year back as a 4-3 defensive end. Could he rediscover some of his past greatness as a rusher in Year 2? Prior to 2024, Gary's last two healthy seasons resulted in 66 pressures (2023) and 87 pressures (2021). There's no reason to think he can't get back to 60-70 pressures if healthy in 2025.
DeMarcus Covington: Don't underestimate the power of good coaching. A former coordinator, Covington worked under Bill Belichick in New England and is well-versed in several different systems and front alignments. Will he solve all the problems up front? Maybe not, but it won't be surprising if the Packers play better under a more experienced defensive line coach. Jason Rebrovich rarely got the most out of his guys up front.
Healthy Devonte Wyatt: The 2022 first-round pick was well on his way to a big-time season when he hurt his ankle in Week 4. Wyatt still ended up producing 32 pressures on 250 pass-rushing snaps. Can he avoid injury and truly break out in his fourth season? He's proven to be a hugely valuable interior disruptor when available. The Packers need (and should get) more snaps out of Wyatt in 2025.
Hafley's blitzes: First-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley proved his creativity and ability to improvise when he orchestrated one of the NFL's best blitz packages in 2024. The Packers don't want to rely so much on blitzing in 2025, but having Hafley's blitzes and the athletes to execute them (see: Cooper, Edgerrin) is a nice backup plan. Expect the Packers to evolve as a blitzing defense to keep quarterbacks guessing in 2025.
Rookies: Fourth-round pick Barryn Sorrell was nothing if not solid as a multi-year starter at edge rusher for Texas, while fifth-round pick Collin Oliver is an exciting athlete who created a ton of disruptive production at Oklahoma State. Could one of the rookies provide immediate help? Sorrell will get opportunities to win snaps as a rotational rusher with the second unit, while Oliver could provide some much-needed juice and speed as a rotational subpackage rusher.
Brenton Cox Jr. in Year 3: Cox will have to win a roster spot in camp, but his progression through two seasons is notable and suggests he could take another jump in Year 3. After a redshirt rookie season, Cox produced 4.0 sacks in just seven games down the stretch last year. He has legitimate pass-rushing talent. Unlocking more of it in 2025 could turn him into a truly useful player for the Packers defensive front.
No more Slaton snaps: As great as TJ Slaton was against the run, he provided almost nothing as a pass-rusher. That's kind of a problem for a lineman who was on the field for over 200 pass-rushing snaps last season. Slaton is now in Cincinnati, and the Packers didn't do much to replace him as a true nose tackle. If more of the defensive tackle snaps go to better pass-rushers, the Packers could naturally improve their ability to disrupt the quarterback on early-down passing snaps.
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