‘Expectations are high’ for Packers’ defense after another big investment

GREEN BAY – In one way, history is repeating itself.

In another, the hope and plan is that it doesn’t.

Brian Gutekunst has made eight first-round picks in his six drafts as Packers general manager, and now seven have been defensive players, with the other Green Bay’s new quarterback.

Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness became the seventh defensive first-rounder of Gutekunst’s tenure Thursday night, continuing the trend of his late predecessor Ted Thompson, who used his last five first-round picks on defense as well.

But while on Thompson’s watch the Packers never developed an elite-level defense following the Super Bowl XLV championship, Gutekunst believes it’s time for that to change.

“It’s unusual that it’s that many years (drafting defense early), but I do think that expectations are high,” Gutekunst said at the conclusion of the draft’s first round. “I sat here last year and said the same thing. I think we had really good moments last year, but the consistency has to be better. We put a lot of investment into that group and there are high expectations there.”

The 2023 defense needs a couple of pieces, namely Rashan Gary and Eric Stokes, to return from injuries, and the addition of Van Ness can help mitigate any delay in Gary’s return. Jaire Alexander certainly came back strong last year, earning second-team All-Pro honors, after missing most of 2021 due to injury.

But Gutekunst also sees a number of players, including last year’s two first-round defenders in Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt, ready to takes steps forward.

“We have some young players that are really coming into their own,” he said. “I think we’re all excited to see what Quay can do. De’Vondre Campbell, Ja’s been playing at a premier level for a long time.

“They’re a good group of guys but there’s so much work to be done between now and in games. There’s definitely high expectations but we wouldn’t have it any other way.”