The linebacker position will be the subject of changes in our upcoming State of the Roster series as Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 defense replaces Joe Barry’s 3-4 scheme. One of the most important needs of the 2024 offseason will be filling the roster with three or four new players at the position, according to the roster numbers for strategies similar to the Green Bay Packers’.
Regarding off-ball linebackers, the first call the Packers will have to make is whether to retain De’Vondre Campbell, who was an inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and would probably go to middle linebacker in the 4-3 scheme if he is retained. Due to his $10.75 million cash obligation in 2024—which includes a $2.9 million roster bonus that is scheduled to be paid out on March 15—Campbell might be a cap casualty. Consider that to be the decision’s deadline.
Quay Walker, a third-year player who was once selected in the first round, would probably play middle linebacker if Campbell is released. But the team still needs to cover some ground at the position after Walker. The only other person behind him
Two players from Green Bay, Eric Wilson and Kristian Welch, who prioritize special teams over defense, are anticipated to become unrestricted free agents.
How does that signify for the Packers, then? How many players will be required for that position? They may want to add as many as four linebackers this offseason if Campbell leaves, assuming that Young is essentially a camp body.
The San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, and New York Jets all had six off-ball linebackers on their final roster at the end of the season; these three teams’ defenses are comparable to Jeff Hafley’s projected scheme. This is a crucial requirement for the
Remember, the expectation is that Hafley’s defense will be a real stack 4-3 defense, not the 4-3 under defense that man-handles a strong-side linebacker at the line of scrimmage. The idea is that the team’s outside linebackers should be largely interchangeable as a result. While the middle linebacker is primarily an inside run blocker and would play a limited part in coverage, the team should prefer smaller, faster backs at those spots to aid the defense chase down runs from behind and assist in coverage. The Packers should be able to play more basic snaps against three-receiver settings thanks to their increased speed on the field, which is a big departure from Barry’s defensive scheme.
