Green Bay Packers’ Defensive Excellence: The Art of Tackling

A Defensive Scheme is Only as Strong as Its Tackling

The most sophisticated defensive scheme in football means little if a ball-carrier consistently breaks tackles and turns short gains into touchdowns. For the Green Bay Packers, tackling efficiency has been a cornerstone of their defensive resurgence under coordinator Jeff Hafley.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

In the 2023 season, the Packers finished seventh in tackle probability, according to Next Gen Stats. This metric evaluates the likelihood of a successful tackle based on positioning, movement, and defensive support. Impressively, all the top nine teams in this ranking made the playoffs, while the bottom 11 failed to reach the postseason.

The Swarming Mentality

Coach Matt LaFleur emphasized a philosophy of gang tackling, ensuring multiple defenders reached the ball-carrier to minimize the chances of broken tackles. “Ultimately, it’s about tackling, swarming, and getting multiple hats to the football,” LaFleur stated before their December game against Detroit.

The impact of this approach was clear: the Packers ranked fifth in the NFL for fewest yards allowed after missed tackles, demonstrating the effectiveness of their system. Hafley credited the unit’s discipline and commitment, highlighting how defenders trusted that teammates would be there to clean up any mistakes.

A Historic Run Defense Improvement

Tackling efficiency directly contributed to Green Bay’s best run defense in over a decade. The team allowed just 3.96 yards per rushing attempt, ranking third in the NFL—an extraordinary turnaround considering they ranked last in this category from 2019 to 2023.

Hafley explained their success, saying, “We’re setting edges, forcing the ball inside, getting off blocks, and most importantly, we’re tackling. When you freeze our tape, you see a lot of guys around the football.”

Advanced Metrics and Standout Performers

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Packers’ tackling improvement was dramatic. In 2023, they ranked 15th in missed tackles; in 2024, they jumped to fourth-best in the league. Several defenders played key roles:

• Linebackers: Edgerrin Cooper (15 missed tackles), Isaiah McDuffie (11), and Eric Wilson (11) led the team in total missed tackles.
• Defensive Line: Kenny Clark (9.8% missed tackle rate) and T.J. Slaton (12.1%) were among the most reliable interior defenders.
• Edge Rushers: Rashan Gary ranked eighth among edge defenders with a 7.0% missed tackle rate, while Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare maintained solid numbers.
• Secondary: Xavier McKinney was a tackling machine, ranking 10th among safeties with a 5.7% missed tackle rate, further solidifying Green Bay’s defensive backbone.

A No-Fear Mentality

Hafley’s philosophy encourages players to attack the ball-carrier aggressively, knowing that teammates are always in pursuit. “If I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, we have three or four other guys there,” he explained.

Final Thoughts: A Blueprint for Success

The Packers’ defensive transformation under Jeff Hafley proves that elite tackling can be the difference between a struggling defense and a dominant one. By emphasizing swarming to the ball and reducing yards after contact, Green Bay has positioned itself as one of the league’s toughest defenses. If they can maintain this level of physicality, the future looks bright for the Packers’ defense.