Despite their late-season surge and postseason success, it was fairly evident that the Green Bay Packers needed a new look on defense.
Joe Barry had underperformed year after year despite having an elite set of talent at his disposal.
That’s why it didn’t take long before the Packers parted ways with him and replaced him with former Boston College HC Jeff Hafley.
Hafley has already made a positive impact on the team and has left a good impression on his players.
At least, according to Keisean Nixon.
Talking to Kay Adams for her Up & Adams Show, the Packers’ CB lauded Hafley for his competitive fire and the way he’s going to challenge everybody, even HC Matt LaFleur.
New @packers DC not afraid to challenge Matt LaFleur..
– @keiseannixon pic.twitter.com/v8srIrEboI
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) June 10, 2024
He revealed that Hafley didn’t care who was in front of him, he was all about getting his players ready and fired up and competing at the highest level, blitzing on third-down in practice and whatnot.
Hafley led the Eagles for four years before taking his talents to Green Bay.
Clearly, he’s been ready to bring that intensity right off the bat, and that might be the biggest difference between him and Barry, who rarely seemed to have the guys ready to perform.
According to Nixon, some guys just try to complement offensive coaches while they’re there, but Hafley will have them focused and ready to compete right away.
The Packers are coming off a 9-8 season with a postseason win, and if their underperforming defense takes a leap, they could be very dangerous in 2024.
