The Green Bay Packers’ Defense Can’t Wait To Strut Their Stuff

The question seemed harmless enough.

Darnell Savage pounced on it, though, like he would a loose ball in the endzone.

Savage, a fourth-year safety for the Green Bay Packers, was being asked about the Minnesota Vikings’ potent offense last week. And when talking about Justin Jefferson, Dalvin Cook & Co., the questioner used the term “stacked.”

“We’re stacked too,” Savage said, pausing for effect. “So, our mindset is to be the best. And to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best. So, we’re just going to go out there and compete at the highest level we can.

“We’re trying to prove it to ourselves that we’re the best. We’re not worried about anything else that’s outside or anything else going on in the world. So, we know what we have in this room and in this group. So, line up each week, do our thing and I think we’ll be fine.”

That seems to be a very common belief throughout Green Bay’s defense these days.

The Packers finished ninth in the NFL in yards allowed last season (328.2), including a 10^th-place finish in passing defense (219.1) and an 11^th place showing in rushing defense (109.1). Green Bay was a somewhat mediocre 14^th in points allowed per game, but was peaking at the end of the year and gave up just 13 points in a playoff loss to San Francisco.

Now, after an offseason largely devoted to improving the defense, that unit should be better.

Much better.

Green Bay re-signed free agent linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and cornerback Rasul Douglas. Campbell was named first-team All-Pro last season and Douglas was a Pro Bowl alternate.

Jaire Alexander is back after missing 13 games last season with a shoulder injury last season. In June, Green Bay signed Alexander to a four-year, $84 million deal that made his the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history.

The Packers used first round draft picks on inside linebacker Quay Walker and defensive end Davante Wyatt. They also signed defensive end Jarran Reed in free agency.

Green Bay’s defense outplayed the offense — and four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers — most days throughout training camp. Now, they’re excited to try shutting down someone in a different uniform.

“We finally get to put together what we’ve been seeing on tape for everybody in the world to see,” outside linebacker Rashan Gary said. “It’s a great feeling. We’re eager and ready for it.”

When the Packers take the field in Week 1, they’ll have six first round draft picks in the starting defensive lineup — nose tackle Kenny Clark, cornerback Eric Stokes, Alexander, Savage, Gary and Walker. When you include Wyatt — who will operate in a reserve role now — there’s seven first rounders on the roster.

With that much talent, it’s no wonder Alexander and others have publicly stated they plan to be the NFL’s No. 1 defense in 2022.

“We’ve got all the pieces,” Alexander said.

Safety Adrian Amos, now in his eighth season and one of Green Bay’s captains, is trying to pump the brakes — for now, anyways.

“It’s one thing about talent and it’s another thing about executing,” Amos said. “To me, I’m a fifth round guy. I don’t care nothing about first round guys, where you’re picked. I know a lot of first rounders that don’t pan out. I’ve seen undrafted guys make it. It don’t matter.

“Once you’re in the NFL, rounds don’t mean nothing. It might matter to media or front office people. But like to me, what round you went, it don’t mean much to me. But what I will say is we’ve got a good mix of vets and young guys. We’ve got the speed and the talent. But if it don’t come together, none of it matters.”

There’s no question, the Packers have their best collection of talent on defense since they won the 45^th Super Bowl back in the 2010 season.

Clark has been to two Pro Bowls, and at just 26 years old, remains at the peak of his powers, He’ll lead a deep and gifted defensive line.

Gary was second in the league with 81 pressures last season and seems poised for an enormous season. Campbell and Walker are both 6-foot-4, run like the wind and could become one of the better inside linebacking duos in football.

And the secondary — led by Amos and Alexander — appears to be Green Bay’s finest since Charles Woodson and Nick Collins were roaming free.

It’s easy to see why expectations are through the roof. Now, the Packers are excited to try delivering.

“We love the hype,” Clark said. “This defense, we’re going to stick together throughout whatever. I think this is a really close group of defenders and we got a lot of talent. I’m excited to see how we all come together Week 1.”

Gary agreed.

“Everybody on this defense this year is close, man,” Gary said. “We’ve all got one goal and everybody in the outside world knows our one goal, and that’s what we’re all pushing for.

“I just love it because every day we step in this building, there’s a standard that you’ve got to uphold, especially when you’re starting with the first string. There’s guys that you know you can’t let down. It’s just the standard.”

And it’s one the Packers are excited to try upholding starting Sunday.