Green Bay Packers: Nate Hobbs Doubles Down After Getting Checked by Matt LaFleur 3 Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs / Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers: Nate Hobbs Doubles Down After Getting Checked by Matt LaFleur

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 6:56 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers added a boost to their pass defense in the offseason when they signed defensive back Nate Hobbs via free agency. The team signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract last May. The Packers are expecting him to make an impact on their secondary in the 2025 NFL season, but he’s already seemingly started on that in training camp.

In fact, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur felt he needed to talk to Hobbs to dial back his aggressiveness on the field, particularly after the cornerback hit wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks during a no-pads practice.

“This is what I told him: ‘I don’t think it’s malicious,’ LaFleur said, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “One of the qualities that we really admired about him, is how he competes.” Hobbs said he felt bad about a hit on receiver Dontayvion Wicks, but told him afterward: “Hey, bro, ain’t nothing personal. That’s just how I play. That’s my nature.”

Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur Lays Down Gauntlet For Rookie WR Matthew Golden 1 Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur gives a thumbs up to fans as he rides a bicycle to practice during the first day of training camp on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Hobbs shares firm stance after talk with Green Bay Packers HC

Green Bay Packers: Nate Hobbs Doubles Down After Getting Checked by Matt LaFleur 2 Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 26-year-old Hobbs acknowledged LaFleur’s message, but he also has no plans of toning down on his energy on the field.

“I just feel like it’s the nature of the game and if you playing it the right way, they gon’ have to tell you slow down,” Hobbs said. “Obviously you gotta be a pro about it. Obviously you need everybody on the team, but I’m a football player, man. I’m not gon’ stop being a football player.”

During his stint across four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Hobbs recorded three touchdowns, 19 passes defended and 281 combined tackles to go along with three sacks and eight quarterback hits through 51 games (38 starts).

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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