The Green Bay Packers intercepted only seven passes during a disappointing 2023 season, so coach Matt LaFleur set out to find a new defensive coordinator who could immediately increase the number of takeaways generated on defense.
The early results of the Jeff Hafley era couldn’t be more encouraging in the turnover department.
The Packers needed only three games under Hafley in 2024 to match the defense’s interception total from the last year of Joe Barry’s leadership in 2023.
And the Packers have now generated three takeaways in three consecutive games to start 2024.
On Sunday in Tennessee, the Packers intercepted two more passes — a pick-six from Jaire Alexander in the first quarter and a win-sealing pick from Xavier McKinney late in the fourth quarter. Alexander jumped a short route intended for DeAndre Hopkins — using vision on the quarterback to get a read — and then high-stepped into the end zone. With the Titans down 13 late, McKinney ranged to his right from a two-high alignment and made a leaping interception of Will Levis’ desperate heave on third down with just over two minutes to go.
Alexander now has an interception in two of his first three games. McKinney, the team’s prized free agent acquisition, has one in all three games. Together, the cornerback-safety pair have five of the team’s seven picks. Alexander, a two-time All-Pro, is getting more opportunities to read the quarterback, while McKinney proved himself as an elite, do-it-all player in New York and has looked every bit the part in Green Bay.
Linebacker Eric Wilson and rookie safety Evan Williams also intercepted passes during the second half of the Packers’ win over Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts last week. Wilson’s pick halted a potential scoring drive in Packers territory; Williams’ ended the game on a Hail Mary attempt.
Alexander’s Week 1 pick came in the end zone and took points off the board in the fourth quarter. He drifted off coverage in the scramble drill and surprised Jalen Hurts. McKinney had one in the first quarter of both Week 1 and 2 — the first ranging to the middle of the field on a throw up the seam from Hurts, and the second snagging an overthrow on a pressured dropback from Richardson.
As of the conclusion of Sunday’s late afternoon games, the Packers lead the NFL in takeaways (nine) and interceptions (seven).
Last season, the Packers defense didn’t produce its ninth takeaway until Week 11. The team’s seventh interception didn’t arrive until Dec. 31, or Week 17.
The last time the Packers started a season with nine takeaways in the first three weeks? The first year of Dom Capers’ run as defensive coordinator in 2009. That team took the ball away 40 times in 16 games.
Less than a month into 2024, Hafley has the Packers enjoying the takeaway party once again. His defense is eyeing the quarterback, making plays on the football and changing games with turnovers.
