The Green Bay Packers have long been a team with a rich history of dominant defenses, dating back to the Lombardi era. But in recent years, one of the most pressing issues has been their inconsistent pass rush. Despite boasting a solid defense on paper, the Packers have often struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This has resulted in missed opportunities, allowing opposing offenses to thrive, especially in critical moments.
However, after a series of disappointing seasons regarding their pass-rushing efficiency, the Packers have made a significant move in an attempt to fix this glaring issue. With their eyes firmly set on becoming a more complete team, Green Bay has made a big trade or acquisition aimed at improving their pass rush and boosting their defense for the 2024 season and beyond. Let’s dive into the details of this move, how it impacts the team, and what it could mean for the Packers’ overall defensive strategy moving forward.
### **The Need for a Better Pass Rush**
To understand why this move is such a critical one, let’s first break down the Packers’ struggles with their pass rush in recent seasons. In 2023, Green Bay finished with just 39 sacks, which ranked 18th in the league. While not terrible, that number is far from the dominant pass-rushing performances that elite defenses consistently provide. The team was unable to generate consistent pressure on quarterbacks, which, in turn, put additional strain on their secondary.
The Packers’ defense as a whole was solid—ranking in the middle of the pack in terms of yards allowed and points per game—but the lack of a ferocious pass rush meant that opposing quarterbacks often had time to find open receivers or even extend plays with their legs. This lack of pressure was particularly evident in games against top-tier quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Justin Herbert, who managed to carve up Green Bay’s secondary with relatively little resistance.
While the team had some promising pieces, such as Rashan Gary, who was showing flashes of elite pass-rushing talent before an ACL injury in 2022, the consistency needed to disrupt opposing offenses simply wasn’t there. The Packers were also relying heavily on other players like Preston Smith and Kingsley Enagbare, but their contributions often fluctuated from game to game. As a result, Green Bay’s defense could only be as strong as its ability to generate pressure on the quarterback, and in too many cases, that wasn’t enough.
### **The Big Move: Green Bay Acquires a Veteran Pass Rusher**
In response to their pass-rushing woes, the Packers have made a bold and decisive move to bolster their defensive front. The team acquired veteran pass rusher **Chase Young** from the Washington Commanders in a trade. Young, the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, had shown immense potential during his early years in the league. However, injuries had derailed much of his career up until this point, limiting his ability to consistently perform at the high level many had expected of him.
Before his injury struggles, Young was widely regarded as one of the most explosive and disruptive pass rushers in the NFL. In his rookie season, he tallied 7.5 sacks and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. His combination of speed, power, and relentless motor made him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. However, after tearing his ACL in 2021, Young was forced to miss significant time, and while he showed flashes of his former self in 2023, he never fully recaptured the form that made him one of the league’s most promising young players.
For Green Bay, the trade represents a low-risk, high-reward move. Chase Young has the potential to be the difference-maker that the Packers have been missing on their defensive line. While they’ve invested heavily in the development of players like Gary and Enagbare, Young’s proven ability to disrupt the pocket and collapse the pocket from the edge offers a dimension that the Packers have been lacking.
This trade also signals that the Packers are serious about competing in the NFC North and beyond. Green Bay has a promising young roster, but they’ve been missing the kind of pass rush that can turn games in their favor, especially when facing elite quarterbacks. By acquiring Young, the Packers are hoping to add an edge rusher who can command double teams and give Gary and Smith more opportunities to make plays.
### **What Chase Young Brings to the Table**
When healthy, Chase Young is a dominant force on the edge. His physical tools are extraordinary: he stands 6’5″ and weighs 265 pounds, with the speed to bend around the edge and the power to bull rush opposing offensive linemen. His versatility allows him to rush from both defensive end spots, making him a valuable piece in defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s scheme.
Young’s potential to disrupt plays both in the passing and running game cannot be overstated. When on his game, he has the ability to collapse the pocket quickly, forcing quarterbacks to get rid of the ball faster than they would like. He can also chase down ball carriers in the backfield, making him an asset in both third-and-long situations and short-yardage run downs.
The addition of Young gives the Packers a legitimate star pass rusher to pair with Rashan Gary, who is coming off a strong recovery from his ACL injury. Gary, when healthy, is one of the most explosive edge rushers in the league, and adding a talent like Young alongside him could create a terrifying pass-rushing tandem for opposing quarterbacks to deal with. With Preston Smith and Enagbare also contributing from the other side, the Packers now have the kind of depth on the defensive line they’ve been missing in recent seasons.
Furthermore, Young’s presence should open things up for other defenders. The Packers’ interior defensive line—led by Kenny Clark—will benefit from the increased attention paid to the edge rushers. Clark’s ability to dominate in the middle could be further accentuated when offensive lines have to shift protection toward Gary and Young, potentially freeing up Clark to wreak havoc in the backfield.
### **Impact on the Packers’ Defense**
The addition of Young is more than just a boost to the pass rush; it could also transform Green Bay’s overall defensive approach. With a more consistent pass rush, the Packers will be able to apply pressure more frequently, leading to hurried throws, fewer big plays, and more turnovers. An improved pass rush also gives the secondary more time to read plays and defend against opposing receivers, which will undoubtedly make life easier for corners like Jaire Alexander and safeties like Darnell Savage.
In addition, a consistent pass rush is invaluable in the postseason. As we saw in the 2023 NFL playoffs, games often come down to critical moments where the defense needs to make a play. With Young, Gary, and Smith all on the field together, the Packers now have the ability to disrupt quarterbacks in key situations, potentially flipping the momentum of a game at a crucial juncture.
For the Packers, this move could be the key to finally unlocking the full potential of their defense. It gives them a much-needed dynamic presence on the edge and puts more pressure on opposing quarterbacks than they’ve been able to do in recent seasons.
### **Conclusion: A Game-Changer for Green Bay**
The Packers’ trade for Chase Young is a bold and potentially game-changing move that could elevate their defense to another level. Young has the talent to become a star pass rusher once again, and when paired with Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and the rest of Green Bay’s defensive front, the Packers should have one of the more formidable pass-rushing units in the NFL.
With the NFC North up for grabs and the playoff race heating up, Green Bay’s decision to bolster their pass rush could prove to be the difference between contending for a Super Bowl or falling short once again. If Young can stay healthy and rediscover his form, this could be the move that propels the Packers back into the conversation as one of the league’s top defensive teams.