The Green Bay Packers intercepted just seven passes during a disappointing 2023 season, so coach Matt LaFleur made it his mission to find a modern defensive coordinator who could immediately escalate the number of interceptions the defense generates.
The early results of the Jeff Hafley era couldn’t have been more encouraging in terms of turnover rates.
Under Hafley, the Packers only needed to play three games in 2024 to match their interception total from Joe Barry’s final year in 2023.
And the Packers have already won three points in three consecutive games to start the 2024 season.
On Sunday at Tennessee, the Packers intercepted two more passes — a pick-six from Jaire Alexander in the first quarter and a game-tying interception from Xavier McKinney slow in the fourth. Alexander jumped a brief route intended for DeAndre Hopkins — using the quarterback’s vision to read him — then ran high into the end zone. With the Titans trailing by 13 slow, McKinney dove right from a two-high line and made a diving catch of Will Levis’ desperation throw on third down with just over two minutes left.
Alexander now has an interception in two of his first three games. McKinney, the team’s prized free agent signing, has one in all three games. Together, the cornerback-safety pair have five of the team’s seven picks. Alexander, a two-time All-Pro, has more opportunities to read the quarterback, while McKinney proved to be an elite all-around player in New York and looked much the same in Green Bay.
Linebacker Eric Wilson and rookie safety Evan Williams also intercepted passes in the second half of the Packers’ win over Anthony Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts last week. Wilson’s pick stopped a potential scoring drive in Packers territory; Williams finished the play with a Hail Mary attempt.
Alexander’s Week 1 pick came in the end zone and led to a fourth-quarter sack. He disappeared off the field during a scramble and caught Jalen Hurts off guard. McKinney had one in the first quarter of both Weeks 1 and 2 — the first up the middle on a Hurts throw and the second on an interception off a pressured Richardson dropback.
At the end of Sunday afternoon’s games, the Packers lead the NFL in interceptions (nine) and interceptions (seven).
Last season, the Packers’ defense didn’t have its ninth interception until Week 11. Its seventh interception didn’t come until Dec. 31, Week 17.
When was the last time the Packers started a season with nine interceptions in the first three weeks? Dom Capers’ first year as defensive coordinator in 2009. That team had 40 interceptions in 16 games.
Less than a month into 2024, Hafley has the Packers enjoying a takeaway party again, with his defenses getting looks at the quarterback, making plays on the ball and changing the game with turnovers.
