The Green Bay Packers took a noticeable step forward on defense this past season under new coordinator Jeff Hafley. The unit played with more edge, more speed, and a bit more bite.
But when you zoom in on the pass defense, things start to look a lot more average - and not in a good way. The Packers gave up 212.8 passing yards per game, slotting them 17th in the league.
Not terrible, but not the kind of number that wins you playoff games in January.
And by the end of the regular season, the cracks in the secondary were hard to ignore. So much so that Green Bay brought in Trevon Diggs after he was cut loose by Dallas - a move that spoke volumes about the state of their cornerback room.
Let’s be clear: the Packers' biggest issue on defense wasn’t effort or scheme - it was a lack of playmakers on the back end. They finished the season with just seven interceptions, the third-fewest in the NFL.
Only Dallas, Tennessee, San Francisco (six each), and the New York Jets (zero) had fewer. That’s not the company you want to keep, especially when you’re trying to build a championship-caliber defense.
Since Jaire Alexander’s early rise to stardom, the Packers haven’t found a true alpha at the cornerback position. And in 2025, that hole became a glaring liability. Yet despite the obvious need, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst doesn’t appear to be in any rush to overhaul the group.
According to Packers insider Matt Schneidman, Gutekunst believes Keisean Nixon had a “very, very good year” and doesn’t see the need for sweeping changes at corner. He did, however, mention a desire to improve depth.
Depth is great, but let’s call it what it is - the Packers don’t just need more bodies. They need better ones.
Right now, Carrington Valentine is the only defensive back who consistently showed signs of being above average. That’s not enough in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
Keisean Nixon, for all his value as a return specialist, hasn’t proven to be a reliable starting corner. And to complicate matters, he’s reportedly reluctant to take on special teams duties full-time - the one area where he’s truly excelled.
Then there’s Nate Hobbs, who’s carrying a hefty $14 million salary but barely saw the field in 2025 due to a knee injury. When he did play, he struggled - both in coverage and in avoiding costly mistakes, like the training camp incident that sidelined Marshawn Lloyd.
Now, the Packers are entering a new chapter with Jonathan Gannon taking over as defensive coordinator. Gannon’s defenses are known for prioritizing pressure up front and limiting explosive plays - a philosophy that, in theory, should help protect a shaky secondary.
But even the best-designed pressure schemes can’t mask a lack of talent on the back end forever. If quarterbacks are getting the ball out quickly and receivers are running free, it doesn’t matter how good your front seven is - the defense will bend, and eventually break.
This offseason, the Packers need to be honest about where they are at cornerback. Gannon should be pushing for more than just depth - he should be demanding difference-makers. Because if Green Bay trots out the same group in 2026, they’re setting themselves up for more of the same: a defense that flashes, competes, and ultimately falls short when it matters most.
The formula is simple: pressure up front, lockdown coverage in the back. Right now, the Packers have one half of that equation. Until they fix the other, they’ll keep watching the playoffs from the wrong side of the scoreboard.