Winning the initial press conference doesn't always mean future success. But based on his first interview as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley said basically everything fans wanted to hear after so many years of passive defensive schemes.

Let's go through it, topic by topic, including comments from head coach Matt LaFleur as well.

Aggressive style

The Packers will build a scheme based on the players they have. Jeff Hafley obviously has his background, but it's a varied one, and the most important aspect for the coordinator is to extract the most out of his roster.

"It comes down to can you take your players, who you have, and put them in the best position to succeed," Hafley said. "Can you take their players and maximize their ability."

Matt LaFleur confirmed the Packers will switch back to a 4-3 defense, and he feels pretty confident that their personnel will fit that scheme. More than the scheme itself, LaFleur mentioned the style he wants to play, "physical and relentless", a hallmark for defenses like the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, and Houston Texans have — all with coaches from the same tree.

"It just comes down to that style," LaFleur said.

Cornerback play

The Packers will play a lot of zone, just like everyone in the NFL, but press will be something more present for cornerbacks than it was under Mike Pettine and Joe Barry. But that doesn't mean they won't watch where the ball is. Forcing turnovers will be a priority.

"More visual on the quarterback," LaFleur said about what he expects from the scheme, "because he's ultimately going to take you where the ball's going to go and that's hard to do if your back's to the quarterback."

But, yes, the cornerbacks will attack the opposing wide receivers.

"I like to press people," Hafley affirmed.

Pressure

Robert Saleh's coaching tree is not exactly known for some kind of blitz-heavy scheme. They are front-centric to a certain degree, but sending four. Hafley, though, has connections with Mike Pettine and wants to bring exotic looks with him.

"There's downs and distances where you need to get after people," Hafley said. "When you get a chance to get after the quarterback, you have to."

Motivation and ideas

Since Jeff Hafley accepted the Packers DC job, there's a talking point about how his move from Boston College head coach to NFL coordinator is a bigger college news than pro news, because of a movement around NIL and transfer portal rules. While it's fair, Hafley talked about what motivates him the most about the new job.

"As a guy who grew up loving football, it's the Green Bay Packers," the defensive coordinator mentioned. "It's the Mecca of the football world to me."

Even though he's taking a step back, his experience as a head coach will help him to integrate new concepts.

"I don’t care whose idea it is," he said. "If it's the best idea and it's gonna help us win games, then that's what we're gonna do."

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