Arguably the biggest weakness of the Green Bay Packers during the 2022 season was their inability to stop the run. Opponents steamrolled the Packers on the ground, as Green Bay ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed and 28th in yards per rushing attempt.
Coming into the 2023 season, there is some optimism that things will turn around in that regard. The Packers are hopeful that a healthy De’Vondre Campbell will improve his numbers against the run and Quay Walker will take a step forward heading into Year 2 as well.
In the trenches, the team is going with nearly an entire new group. Veterans Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed departed in free agency, leaving a huge void alongside Kenny Clark. Clark is going to be the leader of a young group that includes 2022 first-round pick Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton and rookies Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks.
There is some skepticism about how the young players will perform in expanded roles. But, if training camp and preseason are an indication of what is to come, the Packers could be in good shape.
Green Bay is going to be tested right away as their season opener is against the Chicago Bears. Chicago had the No. 1 ranked rushing offense in the NFL last season, but Clark says the Packers are going to be ready for them on Sunday afternoon.
“We got a different plan. You’ll see on Sunday as far as the plan. As far as the techniques and everything, how we playing defense, we’re just being more aggressive. Going to move a little bit. You got guys like myself, TJ, D-Wy that’s can play stout and get off of blocks. That’s all we got to do. Get off blocks at the end of the day. Stop the run and plug gaps,” Clark said via Paul Bretl of Packers Wire.
Last season, the Bears rushed for 180 yards and 155 yards in two games. The Packers were able to come away victorious in both contests, but they are going to need to clean up their run defense to have a repeat of that in 2023.
Clark is going to lead the way for what is hopefully a revamped rushing defense. Going against the Bears is a stiff test that will give a glimpse into just how much improvement, if any, the Packers have made this offseason.
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