A 27-year-old starting cornerback is signed by the Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are going to have a new look defense in 2024. The completely revamped defensive coaching staff has brought a new mindset to that side of the football. The massive signing of free agent Safety Xavier McKinney was crucial for the way new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wants to run his defense.
However, it would appear the Packers liked what they saw from one of their own. Enough, in fact, to bring him back in 2024.
The Green Bay Packers Bring Back 27-Year-Old Starting Cornerback
The Green Bay Packers have re-signed CB Corey Ballentine and TE Tyler Davis. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions Tuesday.
(BAL-en-tine) Ballentine has been on the Packers’ practice squad and active roster over the past two seasons.
He appeared in the final eight games for Green Bay in 2022 and played in a career-best 14 games with a career-high six starts this past season while also appearing in both postseason contests. In 2023, Ballentine set career highs in tackles (39), solo tackles (27), passes defensed (seven) and registered his first career interception.
Ballentine was originally selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round (No. 180 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washburn University in Kansas. He has played for the Giants (2019-20), New York Jets (2020) and Detroit Lions (2021) and also spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals.
The Packers Secondary Will Be Held To A High Standard In 2024
Hafley will run a 4-3 defense, the first time that’s happened in Green Bay since the 2008 season. His scheme will emphasize simplicity most of all:
“Our job is to put the players in the best position to succeed and make plays, and that’s through scheme, right?” Hafley said. “People can say a lot of the scheme is simpler, but it’s very detailed.
“We try and make it simple for the players so they can play fast, so they don’t have to think, so they can be confident and not be afraid to make mistakes, so I can get them the information – we can get them the information – that they need, so they can go out there and be fearless and play with their hair on fire and run and hit and cover and get off blocks and tackle. That’s the beauty of the scheme.”
“Not every snap, but I like press people,” Hafley said. “So the things I believe in defense – whether you’re playing 3-4 or 4-3, press man which I do love, zone coverages, vision and break, quarters, match, it comes down to can you take your players who you have and put them in the best position to succeed?
And can you take your players and maximize their ability? Like, every player wants to get better, and that’s our job to do.”
It has been clear from the jump that Hafley’s pass defense will have a different look than what the Packers have been used to in years past. Bringing back Ballentine shows how that Hafley has confidence in him to be impactful in this new look defense.
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