There Aren't Many Solutions For Green Bay's Defensive Backfield

The Green Bay Packers came up short in a close game against a rival team again, falling to the Minnesota Vikings for the second time this season.

One week after beating the 5-win New Orleans Saints 34-0, the Packers have proven they can hang with — but not defeat — the best teams in the NFC. Matt LaFleur must make some vital tweaks to prepare his team for the tough opposition they'll face in January.

While there is plenty to clean up on offense, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley might be limited in his options. Sure, there are always plays that up, and he can tweak the scheme. However, the Packers have a severe problem in their defensive backfield: mounting injuries and, in some cases, a lack of proven talent.

Every team must deal with injuries, and the Packers are no exception. But Green Bay is running out of bodies, and their talent remaining at cornerback, safety, and linebacker is running thin. Hafley must continue to play the hand he's been dealt and hope he can find other ways to keep his defense afloat.

Even in its infancy, Hafley's defense is already streets ahead of his predecessors. While it isn't as heavy on blitzing and man coverage as expected, Hafley runs an aggressive, turnover-hungry defense that tries to evolve based on personnel and opponent strengths. It's not perfect, but with Hafley, you aren't getting carved like a Thanksgiving turkey by Tommy DeVito.

Hafley's group took care of business against a depleted New Orleans Saints offense a week ago, shutting out rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler in their best performance of the season.

But Sam Darnold leading the Vikings offense is a different monster, and without Jaire Alexander, Evan Williams, and Quay Walker, the battle was even more difficult.

Credit to Darnold, he's proven skeptics wrong by having a career year and navigating Kevin O'Connell's offense like a seasoned captain. And the Packers couldn't do enough to make him look like the player he was on the New York Jets.

The pass rush got close, as ever. Still, Darnold's masterful pocket navigation prevented it from hitting home, and Green Bay only sacked him once.

On the back end, Darnold completed 33 of his 43 pass attempts for 377 yards and three touchdowns to one interception. The Packers were down early, facing 20-3 at the half.

With the pass rush unable to finish its job, Darnold was 26 for 30, 315 yards, and three TDs when unpressured. It doesn't help the secondary when the pass rush is arguably the team's biggest issues.

But losing safety Zayne Anderson early in the game had a disastrous effect on the defensive backfield. Anderson has played well in relief of Williams, and the Packers had safety Omar Brown inactive after elevating him from the practice squad.

Javon Bullard struggled in a true safety role, giving up 6 completions on 6 targets for 72 yards and two touchdowns, and Darnold picked on him throughout the day. Keisean Nixon had a phenomenal pass breakup to save a touchdown, and Carrington Valentine had a much-needed interception.

Still, the corners struggled and let Jalen Nailor dismantle them. Edgerrin Cooper again looked like the lone star on defense and was a terror in the run game. However, Darnold picked on him in coverage, and the rest of the linebacker group didn't do much of note.

Green Bay could cover for the lack of Alexander, Williams, and Walker against worse teams. Hafley did some nice things against the Miami Dolphins to keep them afloat. However, at a certain point, the lack of talent is hard to overcome against good opponents.

The Packers remade their safety room, and Xavier McKinney is as advertised. But injuries have the rest of that group on a death rattle. Cooper is an emerging star at linebacker, and Walker was finding some life before his injury. Still, Green Bay must invest in the group in the offseason.

Cornerback looked like a need this past offseason, but the Packers disagreed. Now it's looking like those outside the building had the right idea. Alexander has been great when available, but he hasn't been available. LaFleur was noncommital on Monday when asked about Alexander playing again this season, saying swelling has been an issue. Thanks to his injury history, it's fair to wonder if Alexander will be a Packer in 2025.

Valentine has emerged as a rising star, finally earning full snaps after splitting time with Eric Stokes for the past few weeks and playing 100% of defensive snaps. Stokes and Nixon have had their moments but aren't consistent, and the Packers may let Stokes walk after this season.

At this point in the season, you probably aren't finding a Rasul Douglas on someone's practice squad. The Packers have to use their players, and if the backfield doesn't get healthy, the playoffs could get ugly.

The only way to fix the secondary right now is to fix the pass rush. It's been an issue most of the season, and it's fair to wonder if the Packers don't have the right type of rushers for Hafley's desired defense. But the group has talent and has been better since the Preston Smith trade. If Hafley can milk the most from that group, the rest of the defense might be able to survive.

Ideally, the Packers can get Alexander, Williams, and Walker back for the postseason. Alexander and Williams elevate the coverage while Walker boosts the pass rush. But if not, the best way to fix the back group might be to rely on the front. Hafley has to play with what he has.