GREEN BAY (WLUK) — Year 1 under Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was widely considered a success. Plenty of positives to take from last season as the unit looks to take even a bigger step forward in 2025.

However one area of concern and concentration throughout OTAs for this defense, creating more pressure up front .

For the first time in what felt like many years the defense was a strength not a weakness. Top five in many statistical categories, but that can’t be said for all position groups. The defensive line was plagued with inconsistencies, you can say it was feast or fathom. 1/3 of their sack total for the season was in two games alone.

“It was on and off honestly. Not good enough, not good enough to win a championship so we got to be better,” said Kenny Clark.

“Moving forward we have to be better collectively, there is expectations but this is the National Football League,” added Lukas Van Ness.

The two point to their injury as a reason for the struggle.

“It was a tough year for me I had surgery on my foot in January, hurt it in the Brazil game (bone spurs). Taking every step and your toe is busting – you know what I am saying?” Clark said, coming off his lowest sack total (1) since 2016 rookie season.

“Full cast all the way until about week 10 or 11 I’m not exactly sure and than had some lingering issues. Playing defensive line it’s all with your hands so when you are kind of limited to using your thumb and a lot of our moves are originated from that you get a little bit of a mental block and it’s kind of taking me a little bit to gain some confidence again,” Van Ness said, 2024 1st round draft pick.

They gave high praise for their new defensive line assistant DeMarcus Covington, however at least this point in the offseason it’s what they are doing off the field and outside the facilities that they feel is making a huge impact. Weekly comradery sessions at the Clark residence.

“KC is the spot, KC is the film study house so everybody pull up on KC might have pizza, wings, things like that but we getting together and locking in on details,” said Pro Bowl honoree Rashan Gary.

“We together all the time, why not – watch film and get better, get better while we hang out,” Clark said.

“The whole group as a whole – just our ability to get off the football I think we spend a lot of time on that and those guys have taken the coaching and embraced that and really worked at it,” said head coach Matt LaFleur.

This offseason only one assistant was fired and that was defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich. The veteran of that unit Clark was asked if his unit took the firing personal?

“I’m not going to answer that question.”