Packers' 2025 'Worst-Case Scenario' is Realistically Dire 1 Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, left, talks with head coach Matt LaFleur before their game against the Houston Texans Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Packers’ 2025 ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ is Realistically Dire

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 3:14 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers’ improvement on defense was one of the biggest storylines across the NFL in 2024, and a key cog in the franchise’s run to the playoffs, despite the offense being besieged by injuries throughout the season.

Behind elite play in the secondary from eventual All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney, and the emergence of rookie Edgerrin Cooper, who received All-Pro votes, coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense was a backbone of Green Bay’s success, in a lot of ways.

Packers’ Worst-Case Scenario Revealed

A major area of concern for the Packers is a pass rush that seems to be built and propped up on hope and potential, but Green Bay has made few major investments in the critical area in recent years.

Bleacher Report NFL analyst Alex Ballentine put together each team’s worst-case scenario on defense, including the Packers’ pass rush never developing and, in turn, putting immense pressure on a secondary in a state of transition.

“Rashan Gary has not become the double-digit sack machine the team hoped,” Ballentine writes for B/R. “When it handed him an extension in 2023. If Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and/or Barryn Sorrell don’t contribute on the outside, the Packers will have a punchless pass rush.

“That’s going to put even more pressure on Nixon, Hobbs and others to form a strong secondary with a really good safety group. If the Packers can’t cover or get pressure on the passer, Hafley will struggle to keep this defense in the upper half of the league.”

Packers News: Lukas Van Ness Speaks Up on Failure to Make Great Leap in Year 2 and How He Can Improve this 2025 5 Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) celebrate the sack if Tennessee Titans Will Levis (8) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Beyond Gary never living up to expectations, Lukas Van Ness has been a disappointment, with likely one more opportunity to shed the “bust” label that he’s been saddled with.

Green Bay is looking to replace veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander, and if Hobbs isn’t up to task or the pass rush doesn’t do its part, it is completely reasonable to think that the Packers could regress from last season’s stellar performance.

Packers' 2025 'Worst-Case Scenario' is Realistically Dire 3 Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) celebrates after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

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

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