Hafley’s specialization was with defensive backs before becoming Boston College’s head coach and then jumping to the NFL as Green Bay’s DC. He favors a press-man scheme, different from how Green Bay operated for the majority of the past few seasons and a style with success often contingent on a powerful pass rush.
That’s what Clark hopes to provide under the new approach, which will ask him to more frequently attack gaps rather than swallow up blocks at the line of scrimmage.
“I’ve always been a technical guy, but it’s going to give that mentality to just cut it loose more within the defense,” he said. “That suits my game well … especially with my get-off and how I play technique.”
Clark was third on the team last year with a career-high 7.5 sacks, bringing his total to 34 as a pro.
Still just 28 heading into his ninth NFL season, the three-time Pro Bowler is a pending free agent in 2025 due to the void years on his current deal.
If he and the rest of the defensive line are disruptive as he hopes under Hafley, the Packers could make even more noise than they did last year in the NFC — and Clark could find himself in line for another lucrative contract.