Grading Green Bay Packers’ defense heading into bye week
![Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is shown during the second day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Saturday, May 15, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.Cent02 7fsrmjople9oe1w9hjf Original Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is shown during the second day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Saturday, May 15, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.Cent02 7fsrmjople9oe1w9hjf Original](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a3048cf0e267b100e10804436389e4f64d312cbe16629feb8e65be27f92c6fa5.jpg)
The Green Bay Packers’ defense was supposed to be the strength of this year’s team. They received plenty of preseason hype after dominating the offense in training camp and weren’t afraid to talk about their high expectations.
Unfortunately, they haven’t lived up to the hype.
Heading into their bye week, the unit ranks 21st in total points allowed and 18th in total yards allowed. That may be mediocre, but is very underwhelming for this version of the defense. Let’s hand out grades for each position group during their bye week.
The Green Bay Packers’ defense hasn’t lived up to the pre-season hype despite the talent on the team. Let’s hand out grades for them during the bye week.
Defensive Line
The defensive line was supposed to anchor this unit. They had depth and multiple players who could win at the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately, the underwhelming performance from the defense begins with this group.
Kenny Clark has played the worst football of his career and disappears for large portions of games during this stretch. He’s started coming on late, but Green Bay needs a lot more of that to improve. Jarran Reed has been a huge disappointment. Dean Lowry and TJ Slaton haven’t provided much help. Devonte Wyatt has started to play well, but doesn’t get much playing time. Overall, it’s just a bunch of disappointment from this group.
Grade: D