Packers: Kyler Fackrell is having a breakout season

In what has been a disappointing season overall for the Green Bay Packers, a surprising bright spot has been the emergence of edge rusher Kyler Fackrell.

Kyler Fackrell was drafted in the third round back in 2016 out of Utah St. and to say his first two seasons as a Green Bay Packer were underwhelming, is an understatement.

With Nick Perry and Clay Matthews ahead of him on the depth chart, it was difficult for Fackrell to see consistent playing time and when he did, he struggled to produce any results.

Early struggles

Through his first two seasons, Fackrell had recorded just five sacks, 38 tackles, 10 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss. After just 10 games in 2018, Fackrell is on pace to obliterate these numbers that took him two years accumulate.

The Kyler Fackrell that we have seen this season is a far cry from his previous seasons. He struggled to get past blockers, was easily redirected, and was found out of position. Oftentimes this made him a non-factor on many plays.

However in 2018, Fackrell has appeared less tentative, is getting a great jump off the snap and is utilizing a combination of pass rushing techniques that has made him a huge problem for opposing quarterbacks.

Fackrell in 2018

After just 10 games this season, Fackrell has eight sacks and notably, he is one ahead of Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack. He’s also added 20 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss and has nine quarterback hits. Even if he isn’t making a sack, Fackrell is consistently getting into the backfield and disrupting the play.

Packers fans have been witnessing the emergence of Fackrell weekly, but against Seattle was his coming out party on the national stage.

Facing a very difficult matchup in left tackle Duane Brown, Fackrell was able to find his way to quarterback Russell Wilson multiple times and also did a fine job of containing Wilson to the pocket, an area that has been challenging for the Packers defense in the past when facing mobile quarterbacks.

Against the Seahawks, Fackrell posted a stat line of three sacks, six total tackles, four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits. In what was another heart-breaking loss for the Green Bay Packers, Fackrell’s performance should not go unnoticed.

Fackrell’s stunning performance in Seattle coupled with his overall play in 2018 has led many in the Packers media to send out their apologies for writing him off so soon.

New Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is due some of the credit for the development of Fackrell. Throughout Pettine’s career as a coach, he has been known to revitalize player’s careers with his defensive scheme and it appears Fackrell is going to be another success story.

Since this is the final year of Clay Matthews‘ contract, the play by Fackrell should give GM Brian Gutekunst and the rest of the Green Bay Packers front office confidence at this position heading into the offseason.

With an injured Perry and an inconsistent Matthews, the Packers needed someone to step up at the edge rusher position, and Fackrell has done just that as he has become Green Bay’s best and most reliable edge rusher.