The Green Bay Packers are coming off their third straight playoff appearance, but the team has lost in the Wild Card round the last two postseasons. Considering the talent on the roster, Green Bay believes it is capable of more, and that’s why the franchise was very intentional about building a better team this offseason.
The Packers added some exciting players through the draft, but they also made some noteworthy veteran acquisitions. Two of the bigger names who joined the team this offseason are linebacker Zaire Franklin and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Franklin was acquired via a trade with the Colts, and Hargrave was signed in free agency.
While their paths to the team was different, the Packers believe both veteran defenders are bringing something the team desperately needed: experience. Standout safety Xavier McKinney recently pointed that out, saying, “We have guys now that have a lot of experience, or more experience than we've had in the past.”
Green Bay thinks that experience will make a difference in the team’s pursuit of a championship.
Packers appreciate the experience levels of Zaire Franklin and Javon Hargrave
While the team has only been going through OTAs, Green Bay believes the veteran leadership of guys like Franklin and Hargrave has already been on display. While respecting the past versions of the team, the All-Pro McKinney said, “I think you kind of see that with who we have now and what we have kind of going on. I think that's going to be big for us just going throughout the year.”
Packers reporter Rob Demovsky brought detail to the point McKinney made, explaining that Green Bay had been the NFL’s youngest team three years in a row. While the young talent is a big reason why the team is good, having a veteran presence can often be beneficial.
It certainly has been for the team throughout the offseason. Demovsky explained that Franklin has been the green-dot player for the defense, meaning he’s responsible for getting plays from the defensive coordinator and relaying them to the defense. Hargrave, on the other hand, has reportedly already emerged as “a calming presence” on the defensive line.
Both guys had previously been coached by Jonathan Gannon, who the Packers hired to be defensive coordinator this offseason. Considering that, the addition of the veteran defenders was likely very intentional for the defensive coordinator. They will help Gannon get his defense rolling in Green Bay, and the hope is that an improved defense will help the team get closer to a Super Bowl.
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