Check who the top interior defensive linemen are on the Green Bay Packers and you’ll see that all of them underperformed to a certain degree, and for different reasons, last season. Each player will have a different goal to get better in 2025, and hopefully for the Packers the change to defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington will unlock the improvement.

This is another part of our positional breakdown series.

Who had underwhelming performances and why

Nobody had been more regular and productive on the Packers defense than defensive tackle Kenny Clark. That earned him a rare third contract with Green Bay. And, well, so far the returns have not been great. In his first season after the extension, Clark had his worst season in a long time. His combination of 33 pressures and 19 stops is the lowest since 2020 and the second lowest since his rookie year. Part of that, though, was a foot injury he suffered in Brazil and played through the entire season. If Clark doesn’t go back to his old self, he will possibly be a prime cut candidate next offseason.

Meanwhile, fellow first-round pick Devonte Wyatt couldn’t get over what has hindered his performance: the inability to play against the run. He also had some injuries, but even when healthy couldn’t play 50% of the defensive snaps. Now that TJ Slaton is gone in free agency, Wyatt’s role will be bigger—especially after the Packers picked up his fifth-year option. And he will have to improve as a run-stopper to be a full-time player.

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A new reality

TJ Slaton led the NFL in run stop win rate amongst interior defensive linemen last season, so his departure to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency doesn’t come without consequences for the Packers. Without him and with more snaps for Wyatt, the ability to stop the run over the middle may suffer. Especially because the top rotational piece is Karl Brooks, who’s also a designated interior rusher.

Trying to replicate that production, the Packers drafted Warren Brinson in the sixth round and signed priority undrafted free agent Nazir Stackhouse, both from Georgia.

During the offseason program, the coaching staff moved Colby Wooden to the nose tackle position trying to get more out of him—and his ability to do that or not is key for him to make the team in the first place.

The depth also has James Ester, who spent last season on the practice squad, and Keith Randolph Jr., who signed throughout the offseason: Nesta Jade Silvera and Cameron Young spent some time with the team, but were cut right before training camp.

Forgotten Packers defensive player is ready to prove he belongs and could be a valuable piece for Green Bay’s 2025 team

Ty’Ron Hopper is fighting for more playing time

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