In 2024, will De’Vondre Campbell return? If not, the Packers may have to find two new off-ball linebacker starts.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. After him, the only other off-ball linebackers with contracts through 2024 are Christian Young, a former college safety who signed a reserve/futures deal with the organization, and Isaiah McDuffie, a rotational player for the Packers in the previous season.
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? In the event that Campbell departs, supposing Young is not muchThe 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. To put it mildly, the Packers are in desperate need of this. In addition to needing to find two starters at outside linebacker, they also need to backfill the position with depth comparable to that of the NFL.
This means that, along with safety, linebacker will be either the team’s first- or second-biggest need by 2024.
Remember, the expectation is that Hafley’s defense will be a real stack 4-3 defense, not the 4-3 under defense that lines up with a strong-side linebacker.The most entertaining aspect of this tale is how the guy in question, paying homage to Back to the Future, wanted to ensure that his incredibly fast toy automobile could reach speeds of over 88 miles per hour.
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