The Green Bay Packers had a strong win over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.
The defense allowed less than 300 total yards on offense, and the offense put up over 450 on Mike Tomlin’s prized side of the ball.
One thing that did stand out for Green Bay was the fact that head coach, Matt LaFleur, and defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, decided to bench offseason free agent acquisition, Nate Hobbs, who signed a 4 year, $48 million deal this offseason to come to Wisconsin.
Hobbs had a few misgivings in training camp, including some “overenthusiastic” big hits on offensive players, but started all six of the team’s opening games.
Nate Hobbs Reveals What He Needs To Do To Improve Game Post-Benching
However, after what has been a slightly shaky start, the team made a clear decision to start former seventh round pick, Carrington Valentine, over him on the perimeter opposite Keisean Nixon, with second year slot, Javon Bullard, manning the slot.
And speaking on Wednesday, Hobbs described how he felt losing his spot in the starting lineup, and what he plans to do to get back there.
“Just 100% of the snaps, be wired in and focused like I am most of the snaps.”
“Just 100% of the snaps be wired in and focused like I am most of the snaps, 400% of the time.” Hobbs said to the Green Bay media on Wednesday. “Corner is a position that if you give up 10% of catches that you on the field, and the other 90% you’re doing your job, you still can be considered not doing your job and not playing good. Just been focused 100% of the time.”
Will The Packers Look To Reinforce The Defense Prior To The Trade Deadline?
The secondary could certainly use some help, and would be the obvious positional addition for the team prior to the trade deadline in five days time, but it could be that LaFleur and general manager, Brian Gutekunst, take another route on a last-gasp trade.
Ben Solak of ESPN suggests that the team could instead look to stock up on defensive linemen in a potential trade, such as Tennessee Titans defensive tackle, Sebastian Joseph-Day.
“Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.” Solak wrote on Wednesday. “The Packers are thin on the defensive interior after the departure of Kenny Clark in the Parsons trade, and Wyatt’s injury has served as a stark reminder of that vulnerability. Joseph-Day is a stout run defender on a one-year deal — perfect for patching one of the few remaining holes on a Super Bowl contender.”
The Packers’ run defense has been one of the best in the league, coming in at third in the NFL in allowing opponents less than 79 rushing yards per game.
Much of that does come down to teams needing to pass more, as Green Bay tends to play with a lead more than the average team due to the high-powered nature of the offense. Yet, at the same time, the franchise is managing to cope in the aftermath of the Clark trade to Dallas.
If the Packers do bring someone in, they will assuredly look to find a clear, bona fide difference maker.
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