Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports The Packers defense could benefit from starting over under Hafley. Fresh starts are fun, and they’re rare in the NFL. Careers are so short both on and off the field that players and coaches really only get one good crack at being their best. But opportunities to start new do come along on occasion, and a couple of key, young Packers defensive players have such an opportunity this year. Trying to be as fair as possible, 2022 first round picks Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt have both shown flashes of success in their young NFL careers, though neither has really sustained that success over long periods. It’s possible, even likely, that the reason for some of their underwhelming (or maybe just whelming) performance so far was Joe Barry. Perhaps the most consistent criticism of Barry was his failure to maximize players’ individual talents, to say nothing of his ability to craft a cohesive defense overall. But if we assume that Walker and Wyatt struggled because they were held back by Barry, Jeff Hafley’s arrival should be a beacon of hope. Whether Walker and Wyatt can put together great third years remains to be seen, but the Packers would certainly appreciate it if they did. They’ll have to decide, one way or another, on fifth-year options for both after the season, and strong showings this year would be a big help to both the players and the Packers. Packers DL Devonte Wyatt with chance to ‘thrive’ in Jeff Hafley’s defense | Packers Wire Wyatt has been okay to good through two NFL seasons. Can he take off in a new scheme in 2024? Should teams trade up in the NFL draft? Lessons from past deals | ESPN Brian Gutekunst has never been afraid to trade up, and this year he did it again. Is it worth it? The great undrafted free agents in Green Bay Packers history | Packers News You’ve heard this before: the Packers have a deep, rich history with undrafted free agents. But you may not remember exactly how deep. Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy on Packers’ First-Round Pick Jordan Morgan | Packer Central Turns out the guy with a big stake in the success of the Senior Bowl thinks the guy he invited to the Senior Bowl is pretty good. Pest control ace clears Dodgers-Diamondbacks bee swarm, throws first pitch | UPI Guys that can handle pests are always good to have on the mound. https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2024 ... resh-start
