Jeff Hafley was fired up!
Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh / Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
If you have never listened to a Jeff Hafley press conference, it’s well worth your time. It’s impossible not to come away impressed any time he speaks. Whether breaking down his philosophy for the Green Bay Packers’ defense or talking about his focus on winning, Hafley’s passion comes through every time he speaks.
Hafley makes it clear that he is here to win, and it’s not all about him. He is playing a part in helping the team win, and that’s all he cares about.
Naturally, Robert Saleh’s arrival came up during Hafley’s press conference on Thursday. The two have experience working together from their time in San Francisco. Although Saleh is working with the offense, some coaches may have felt uncomfortable with Matt LaFleur’s decision to add another former head coach and defensive coordinator to the staff.
Not Hafley. All he wants is to win, and he is more than happy to see his friend come in.
“Robert is one of my best friends in this profession,” said Hafley. “I knew he was coming, when he was coming. It’s been great to have him here.”
Jeff Hafley gave an incredible answer after Packers hire Robert Saleh
If LaFleur had any concerns over Hafley’s reaction to hiring Saleh, he had no reason to.
“I’m at the point in my career where I’m pretty secure and confident in what we’re doing, where we’re heading, the staff that we have on defense,” said Hafley. “So whether it was a really good friend of mine like it is or some guy that I really don’t know, I just think that’s a way bigger thought and a story than it actually is. I came here to win.”
He then made a point that will have Packers fans wanting to run through a wall.
“I want to win football games and I want to win a championship and I’m not going to have anything distract me to do such.”
Hafley is so impressive every time he takes to the podium, and he is backing it up with the team’s performances on the field. The Packers’ defense held MVP candidate C.J. Stroud, who entered Week 7 with 10 touchdown passes and four interceptions while averaging 262.8 passing yards per game, to just 86 yards. He completed only 47.6 percent of his passes against Green Bay.
Allowing just 20.4 points per game, the Packers have the No. 10 scoring defense in the NFL while leading the league with 17 takeaways.
Despite Hafley’s relaxed approach to the Packers adding more coaches, LaFleur doesn’t want to mess with what’s working on defense. He said it was important not to interfere with the work Hafley and his staff are doing. Saleh is providing a defensive perspective on the Packers’ offense, helping LaFleur figure out how defenses could attack his system.
With Hafley running the show on the defense and LaFleur drawing up brilliant offensive game plans (now with the help of Saleh), the Packers are in great shape entering Week 8 and beyond.
