The Green Bay Packers forgot how to rush the passer but dramatically improved against the run last season — a newfound Bizarro World that may actually help them.
Of course, the Packers' pass rush must show more consistency for this team to fulfill its potential, but Jeff Hafley's work to stop the run must continue.
Detroit boasts arguably the best running back tandem in football with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Minnesota brought back Aaron Jones after a successful audition in Vikings purple, while Chicago added several new bodyguards to fix an underperforming offensive line.
Now, a former All-Pro running back could be NFC North-bound.
According to Ken Carman of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, four-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb is "getting close to another team" that "happens to be in the NFC North."
The Bears would make the most sense, although we shouldn't rule out the Vikings, either. As Adam Patrick of The Viking Age notes, Chubb already has a connection with Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Whether it's Chicago or Minnesota, the Packers' work this past weekend will help their cause.
Packers strengthening their run defense is perfectly timed with potential Nick Chubb arrival
The Packers had the seventh-ranked run defense last season but lost starting defensive tackle T.J. Slaton in free agency. Fortunately, they took steps to address that on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
Brian Gutekunst added sixth-round pick Warren Brinson, once again stealing a promising talent from the Georgia defense. Brinson's interior pass rush still needs work, but he consistently shut down the run during his time with the Bulldogs. In 2023, Pro Football Focus gave him an excellent 80.5 run-defense grade, which ranked 38th among all interior linemen in the FBS.
The Packers weren't done, either.
Shortly after the draft concluded, they landed one of the best deals in undrafted free agency by signing Nazir Stackhouse, Brinson's Georgia teammate.
Stackhouse will likely become a two-down lineman in the NFL. He doesn't offer much against the pass but dominates against the run. In 2022, he earned an elite PFF run-defense grade of 86.1, ranking 19th in the FBS. Last season, his 83.1 grade ranked 31st.
Brinson and Stackhouse can help fill the void left by Slaton.
The Packers allowed an average of 114.3 rushing yards per game against NFC North opponents last season, which is respectable against strong ground attacks.
Chubb, with his 5.1 yards-per-carry average, joining the division would only increase the challenge. The Packers proved they can hold their own against opposing rushing attacks, and the additions of two talented run-stuffers come at a good time.
It starts with stopping the run. As the NFC North continues to add running back talent, the Packers must ensure they are prepared. Drafting Brinson and signing Stackhouse looks even smarter now.
If Chubb truly is NFC North-bound, the Packers are ready.