Packers All-Decade Team: Aaron Rodgers leads the way

Linebackers

The Packers hit the reset button on their linebackers position this past offseason. For most of the decade, the defense was built around one player and as his skills began to diminish, so to did the pressure on quarterbacks. Green Bay tried using a lot of undrafted free agents and only drafted one player in the first two round and signed only one free agent before the new GM Brian Gutekunst spent big this offseason.

Clay Matthews (2010-2018)

There was one player who was synonymous with the Packers defense for most of the 2010s: Clay Matthews.  Drafted in the first round in 2009, Matthews made an instant impact and was the heart and soul of the Packers defense during his time with the Pack. Matthews had 73.5 sacks for the Packers in the decade and left as the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks.

Matthews was an unselfish player as evident by his move to inside linebacker at mid-season in 2014. Matthews was also no one-trick pony. He was a good cover linebacker and had six interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.

Some might remember Matthews for the player he was in the latter stages of his time with the Packers. His aggression was often taken advantage of by opposing offenses. But Matthews was a beast for Green Bay for many years. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2010, was voted to five Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2010.

Julius Peppers (2014-2016)

Julius Peppers came to the Packers very quietly in a move no one expected. He instantly became a locker room leader and was the running mate across from Clay Matthews the Packers had been looking for.

His first in Green Bay was his most impactful. Peppers had seven sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions, each returned for touchdowns. Peppers was also the one to turn the playoff game against Dallas in the Packers’ favor.

With Dallas leading late in the third quarter, DeMarco Murray took a handoff and had a clear lane to the end zone. Peppers reached in, swiped away the ball out of Murray’s hand and the Packers recovered. The Packers would go on to win the game from there. Overall, Peppers had 25 sacks, two interceptions, eight forced fumbles and the two touchdowns.

Za’Darius Smith & Preston Smith (Present)

These two have been attached to each other since being signed mere hours apart in March. So it’s only fitting they get their mention on this team. It’s only been one season and not even a completed one, but their impact on this defense and team cannot be overlooked.

The Smith Bros. have been all the Packers could have asked for and more. They have combined for 25.5 sacks and have made the Packers pass rush something to fear. If these two finish out their contracts and keep up this type of production, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them on the next decade’s team either.

Blake Martinez (2016-Present)

He is steady if unspectacular, assignment sure but not explosive. There are many ways to go back and forth about Blake Martinez, but one thing can’t be denied, Martinez is a tackling machine. He has his deficiencies in coverage, but he gets the defense lined up, will be where he needs to be and almost always make the tackle. Martinez has an outstanding 505 tackles in his four years, leading the team in each of the past three seasons.

A.J. Hawk (2010-2014)

A.J. Hawk is one of the most under appreciated Packers of all time. Like Martinez, Hawk lined the defense up, was assignment sure, and made the tackle. In fact, Martinez and Hawk are almost mirror images of one down to the number they wear on their jersey. Everything said about Martinez can be said about Hawk.

The difference and why I feel Hawk got so much flak was is draft position. Had Hawk been a fourth-round pick like Martinez, most would feel good about the production the team got from him. But Hawk was drafted fifth overall, a place where game-changers come from. But Hawk was the ultimate teammate and consummate pro. Hawk had 527 tackles during the decade.

Desmond Bishop (2010-2012)

Desmond Bishop is often overlooked when we think of impact players for the Packers. It probably has to do with his short tenure, but Bishop was a hitting machine in the middle of the Packers defense. When Bishop hit someone, they knew. He was the enforcer for the team. He wasn’t dirty but he was the player that made a receiver or back think twice about going over the middle.

Bishop was thrust into the starting lineup after a Week 4 injury to Nick Barnett and made sure the Packers defense didn’t miss a beat. Bishop’s play allowed the Packers to let Barnett leave the following year and focus on re-signing Hawk and Bishop. Bishop had a solid year in 2011 on a struggling defense. He suffered a severe hamstring injury in the preseason that ended his career in Green Bay. In his two seasons starting, Bishop had 218 tackles, four forced fumbles and one interception that was returned for a touchdown.