It has not been an easy go of things in the defensive backfield for the Packers this season. It was obvious from the beginning that coverage was not going to be the team’s strong suit, especially after letting oft-injured Jaire Alexander go and not landing a top-level replacement.
But arguably the key to making the Packers secondary work this season is veteran signee Nate Hobbs, who came to Green Bay after playing his first four seasons with the Raiders. Hobbs impressed the Packers with his versatility, and the team entered the season counting on him to play just about anywhere in the defensive backfield.
As defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said, “Nate can play outside and Nate can play inside. We’re going to have him do both. When you’re getting ready for free agency and you’re evaluating tape, that’s one thing you love about him. He’s had a lot of success inside, and I thought his tape outside was equally as good.”
Nate Hobbs Getting Healthy, But Getting Worse on the Field
But the Packers have not used Hobbs much in the slot. And, because he underwent surgery in training camp for a torn meniscus, he has had some difficulty getting up to speed as an outside corner. The Packers have been ramping up his snap counts as the year has gone on, but his production has just not been there.
Pro Football Focus has Hobbs playing just 31 snaps in the slot, and 210 on the wide corner. That’s out of 288 snaps, including special teams.
But the more he has played, the tougher his grades at PFF have been. He debuted in Week 2 against Washington, and logged a 71.3 grade. Since then, he has gone down each week–66 against Cleveland, 61 against Dallas, 58.1 against the Bengals and 47.1 on Sunday against the Cardinals, the second-worst grade of any Packers defensive player.
Packers and observers, it seems, are fed up with it. And it might be time to turn back to Hobbs’ potential replacement, Carrington Valentine.
Packers Gave Out a Major FA Contract
He was given a four-year, $48 million contract to essentially replace Alexander — though it should be noted, the contract is only $16 million guaranteed and the Packers can wriggle out of it this offseason.
Packers backers seem to want that to happen sooner rather than later.
On Twitter/X on Sunday, Hobbs’ struggles were obvious. He is now allowing opposing quarterbacks a passer rating of 115.0 on the season, among the worst on the team in that category. One fan wrote, “Nate Hobbs shouldn’t be in NFL. Holy over pay.”
Another likened Hobbs to a piece of toast shooting from a toaster–but already burnt.
Hobbs has been getting the playing time that had been going to Carrington Valentine, who played only two snaps on Sunday. As Hobbs’ playing time has been going up, Valentine’s has been drastically decreasing.
Which led Packers beat reporter Matt Schneidman to wonder: “Is it time for the Carrington Valentine over Nate Hobbs conversation?”
Indeed it may be. As one fan pointed out: “Nate Hobbs entering Week 8: 2 touchdowns allowed 3 penalties 120.9 passer rating allowed 1 pass breakup Not exactly ideal for a $48 million pickup.”
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