The Clock is Ticking on Joe Barry

Packers fans across the country held their breath as Roger Goodell announced the 13th pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The top receiver prospect, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, was still available, but that was not the name Goodell announced. Instead, the Packers chose Lukas Van Ness, an edge rusher from Iowa. While many fans may have been disappointed, it was not surprising given the team's tendency to invest in defense, with nine of the past ten first-round picks being defensive players.

With so much emphasis on the defensive side of the ball, fans have high expectations for a potent defense, but recent mixed results have left some questioning why the team's talent hasn't translated into on-field success. Despite calls from fans for a new defensive coordinator, head coach Matt LaFleur has chosen to keep Joe Barry on staff. With another first-round draft pick spent on defense and the possibility of offensive regression, all eyes will be on Barry and the defense to deliver results.

A Tale of Two Halves

To say the defense got off to a bumpy start last season would be a major understatement. The first game set the tone for the first half of the season as Packers fans watched Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson rack up 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Green Bay secondary. In an almost comical scene, Joe Barry left 264-pound LB Preston Smith to try to guard the star receiver. The first half of the season did not go much better for the Packers’ defensive unit, with them getting embarrassed by the likes of Bailey Zappe, Zach Wilson, and Taylor Heinicke.

As bad as the first half was for the Packers’ defense, the second half of the season showed improvement. The secondary stepped up in a big way, even ranking first in passing defense DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average) over a late five-game stretch. More big plays were made in the second half of the season as well, as the Packers finished the season tied for fourth in interceptions (17). The league also saw Barry adapt his defense over the course of the season, completely shutting down Justin Jefferson the second time the two met last year.

While Joe Barry’s ability to turn things around last season is likely why LaFleur decided to keep him around, there are still some question marks surrounding the defense entering the 2023 season.

Stopping the Run

As per usual, the Packers’ run defense was lacking last season. While our passing defense improved over the course of last season, the run defense was a glaring weak spot. Cheeseheads may recall the final game of the season against the Lions, where Detroit was able to effortlessly run out the clock, ultimately costing Green Bay a playoff spot. In 2022, the Packers allowed the fifth most yards per carry (5) and the seventh most rushing yards (2,372). The numbers don’t lie. After an offseason filled with fans calling for his job, Joe Barry will be under intense scrutiny, and addressing the run defense would be a good way for him to quiet the mob.

Creating Pressure

Another problem with the defense is their complete lack of a pass rush. Green Bay had the 6th fewest sacks in the league last season. Before Barry was the Packers’ defensive coordinator he was the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams. Coming from a team who was excellent at generating pressure, some hoped Barry could help develop a strong defensive front in Green Bay.

Of course, Barry is not solely to blame for the sack count last year. Joe Barry got to work with Aaron Donald and now has Preston Smith. While Rashan Gary has proved he can be a force off the edge, he missed most of the 2022 season with a torn ACL. With a line full of aging vets, injured players, and underdeveloped rookies, such as Devonte Wyatt and T.J Slaton, the lack of defensive pressure is understandable. The Packers spent their first-rounder this year on Lukas Van Ness, hoping he can help out their line. While Barry’s seat isn't too warm yet, if his defense continues to underperform with a line built with three first-round picks (Gary, Wyatt, Ness), that chair may start to heat up.

Although last season was not a stellar year for the defense, there are some reasons for optimism. Injured players, such as Eric Stokes and Rashan Gary, will be making a return to provide a boost for the unit. The 2023 draft class supplied Packers fans with plenty of defensive rookies to get excited about. If Joe Barry can learn from last season, and the defense is able to perform at the level they did in the second half of the season, this is a team fans should be excited about. If this defense underperforms yet again, there is no one to blame but Joe Barry. Packers fans have watched Gutekunst draft defensive talent for the past ten years. It's time for a return on investment. The clock is ticking.