Packers: 9 reasons why Green Bay will bounce back in 2018

5. Mike Pettine gives defense a fresh start

After yet another disappointing season for the Packers defensively, head coach Mike McCarthy decided to make some changes to his coaching staff, most notably replacing Dom Capers with Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator.

While Pettine’s run as a head coach didn’t turn out as he’d hoped, there was a reason why he got that gig in the first place. And that was his work prior as a defensive coordinator.

This tweet by The Power Sweep helps show just how well his defenses performed.

His hiring won’t magically make the Packers’ defense a top-10 unit. Brian Gutekunst needs to bring in the right players this offseason to fit Pettine’s scheme.

But what Pettine will do is bring fresh ideas to a defense that has been lost for a number of years. It’s not like the unit is without talent. Green Bay’s defense already features the likes of Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark and Clay Matthews.

And judging by how excited Pettine is to work with Matthews, one can safely assume the six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro will be returning to Green Bay in 2018.

“The first thing that jumps out is his versatility,” Pettine said, via Packers.com. “This is a guy that can play on the edge, he can rush inside.”

Pettine will bring fresh ideas to a defense that was crying out for change. It could be just what the Packers needed to return to the Super Bowl.