Kenny Clark shares exciting perspective about the new Packers’ defensive scheme

The Green Bay Packers are holding the traditional Tailgate Tour this week, with current and former players traveling around Wisconsin to meet and talk to fans. That's also an opportunity to learn relevant opinions of these players.

Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, for example, talked for the first time about his expectations regarding new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. And his answer is exciting for fans.

"Fiery, his energy. He's going to bring it," Kenny Clark said of his first impression after a phone call with the coach. "He's going to challenge everybody, challenge everybody to be great. That's what you want as a coach. You want them to hold guys accountable."

Changes upfront

The Packers will change their base defense from 3-4 to 4-3, and that's the first time in his NFL career that Kenny Clark will play this model. It's not such a drastic change as it used to be, since most teams play in nickel packages three fourths of the snaps, but Clark is confident that the new scheme will allow more action from the interior defensive linemen.

"This scheme, it'll be good for us up front. It's going to allow us to be way more disruptive," Clark said. "I've always been a technical guy, but it's going to give that mentality to just cut it loose more within the defense. That suits my game well, especially with my get-off and how I play technique."

Decisive season

Kenny Clark is only 28 as he got into the NFL at such a young age as a first-round pick in 2016, but he's entering the last year of the contract extension he signed back in 2020. It's a $27.49 million cap hit, and the Packers haven't touched the deal to open up cap space.

That opens the door for an extension, but there are obvious question marks about his future in Green Bay.

Beyond being a top interior player, Clark is also a locker room leader, and those are all considerations the front office has to make.

"I'm just going to keep being who I am for this team, keep bringing it every single day," Clark added. "We had a really good year last year. I'm excited about the growth of this team and to get things rolling with that."