We often hear the NFL referred to as a "copycat league," which is a fair assessment. Rival front offices are like sharks; whenever they smell an ounce of a successful strategy, their instinct is to pounce on and replicate it.
Well, fortunately for the Green Bay Packers and 30 other clubs, the next blueprint was laid out on football's grandest stage. The Seattle Seahawks' historically dominant defensive showing in Super Bowl LX caught everyone's attention, and it wouldn't be shocking to emulate their approach.
There were several important takeaways from the Seahawks' convincing 29-13 championship victory over the New England Patriots. Seattle reminded us that special teams matters, though perhaps most notably, they proved that having a hellacious front seven may be the ultimate trump card.
With that in mind, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst might want to take a page or two from the Seahawks' playbook this offseason. Bolstering the pass rush should be at or near the top of Green Bay's to-do list.
Seahawks' sensational defense gives Packers clear offseason goal to improve pass rush
The quarterback is widely regarded as the most crucial position in football and arguably all of sports. They're the head of the snake, so if you decapitate them, the entire operation falls apart. Look no further than what the Seahawks just did to MVP runner-up Drake Maye and the Patriots in the Big Game.
Seattle pressured Maye on over half of his dropbacks, with four different edge defenders generating at least five (h/t Next Gen Stats). In turn, the Patriots couldn't even crack 100 total yards of offense through three quarters. It just goes to show how impactful disrupting the passer at an extremely high level can be, which Gutekunst and the Packers shouldn't overlook.
Green Bay has the bones of a strong pass-rushing unit. Of course, Micah Parsons is a one-man wrecking crew all by himself. Veteran defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt provides a great push in the middle, but the Packers could greatly benefit from better complementing them.
Parsons and Wyatt are capable of anchoring the load. Yet, the Packers have to do a better job of building around them, especially if they trade or release 2019 first-round pick Rashan Gary. Some fascinating options may or are set to become available, including future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack, who hits unrestricted free agency in March.