The Green Bay Packers could only watch as the Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LIX. Out of the four playoff games the Eagles played, it was the Packers defense that held the Eagles to the fewest number of points. But while the Packers defense played well, there is one major lesson the Packers can learn from the Eagles Super Bowl win that can help the team take a big step forward in 2025.
One Major Lesson the Packers Can Learn from the Eagles Super Bowl Win: The Game
One thing the Eagles were able to do against the Chiefs that made a big difference in the game was putting pressure on the Chiefs quarterback. In the game, the Eagles managed six sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
The pressure led directly to the Eagles victory. The pick six by Cooper DeJean was caused by pressure on Patrick Mahomes. The vaunted Kansas City offense was unable to get move the football. At the half, the game was all but over with the Eagles leading 27-0.
For the game, the Chiefs gained only 275 yards and most of that came during garbage time after the outcome was long decided.
The Philadelphia defense did this without blitzing. Their front four created pressure on the quarterback on their own. That allowed the defense to have seven players in coverage which limited Mahomes’ ability to find an open receiver downfield especially when he was under duress.
The defense was dominant. It shut down a future Hall of Fame quarterback and gave the Eagles offense the ball back in good field position after three turnovers.
The Packers Problem
Throughout the 2024 season, the Packers defense struggled to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks by using just their front four.
No Packers defensive lineman had more than 7.5 sacks. Rashan Gary led the team in that category. No other defensive lineman had more than five sacks.
Those sacks were often accomplished because defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley put together blitz packages. Linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker were often utilized as blitzers, as was Keisen Nixon from the corner or the slot.
At the end of the season, GM Brian Gutekunst thought the team had the right players along the defensive line. He also said he was “disappointed” they didn’t develop into a more consistent unit. Shortly after the season ended, the Packers fired defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich for that very reason.
The Packers defense was not designed to utilize as many blitzes as they used this season. However, when the front four failed to get enough pressure on the quarterback, Hafley had no choice.
One Major Lesson the Packers Can Learn from the Eagles Super Bowl Win: Resources Used
The Packers have used significant draft capital on their defensive line/edge rushers over the years. Since Gutekunst took over as GM in 2019, he selected Gary in the first round with the 12th overall pick. In 2022, he added defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt with the 28th overall pick. The following year, he selected Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick.
But none of these players have fully lived up to their draft position although two of them have developed into solid contributors.
The Packers switch to a four-man front from a three-man front likely impacted the failure to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. All of the linemen had to adjust the way they played the game after being coached to play in the previous defense.
Veteran edge rusher Preston Smith asked to be traded at mid-season because he wasn’t comfortable playing defensive end. Kenny Clark struggled with the change as well and saw his effectiveness and productivity go down significantly from 2023 to 2024.
Gutekunst had drafted players that fit the 3-4 scheme for years. Suddenly those players had to change gears and try to fit their skills into a new scheme. The results were mixed and there was definitely an adjustment period.
Going Forward
The Packers defense improved significantly in 2024. They ranked sixth in the NFL in points allowed and fifth in yards allowed. Still, the lack of a dominant pass rush from the front four prevented them from playing the way they wanted to do. The Eagles ability to dominate with their front four set them apart from their opponents.
Gutekunst must address this issue in the offseason. Changing position coaches could help. The players being more familiar with the defense in year two under Hafley could also create progress. Don’t be surprised if the Packers add talent to the front four this offseason. That could be either through the draft, trades, or free agency.
Either way, the Packers need to improve here. The strong play of the Eagles in the trenches proved to be a big reason they won the Super Bowl this season. The Packers and the rest of the NFL must take note of this.
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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