Have Green Bay Packers done enough on defense for 2019?

The team from Titletown enters 2019 off two straight losing seasons and there’s a new head coach, but is the Green Bay Packers defense ready to step up?

It’s a franchise that during the free agency era that has still opted to rely on the NFL Draft. You could make a strong case that, since 1993, the Green Bay Packers had opened the checkbook only three times in 20-plus years when it came to adding veteran talent. That would be defensive end Reggie White, defensive back Charles Woodson and versatile defender Julius Peppers.

The franchise has been pretty successful in terms of homegrown talent for the most part. But in recent years, there have been far too many swings and misses come April, especially when it comes to the defense.

The numbers are disappointing and combined with the fact that talented quarterback Aaron Rodgers has struggled to stay healthy these past two seasons, it’s easy to figure out why this club is coming off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1990 and 1991.

So general manager Brian Gutekunst and the organization were highly aggressive in March. The free-agent haul included outside linebackers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith, late of the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens, respectively. The Packers also signed safety Adrian Amos away from the rival Chicago Bears.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

Moreover, for the third consecutive year and second with Gutekunst, the team used their first two draft picks in April on defensive help in the form of first-round selections in edge rusher Rashan Gary and safety Darnell Savage.

A year ago, the team replaced longtime defensive coordinator Dom Capers with Mike Pettine but the results were disappointing, to say the least. Green Bay finished 18th in the league in total yards allowed per game (22nd vs. the run), surrendered 400 points and a disappointing 45 offensive touchdowns, 30 through the air. The Packers only managed only 15 takeaways, the fewest by the team since 2004.

Despite last year’s showing, Gutekunst apparently feels this unit can turn things around.

"“I feel really good right now,” said the team executive to Rob Reischel of Forbes in late April. “These guys have to come together as a team, but that takes a lot of work and a lot of time.“I’m excited about Mike Pettine and the second-year guys we have in his system, but with the additions we’ve made I think we’re very optimistic about what these guys can do.”"

This offseason, the talk in Green Bay has more focused on Rodgers’ rapport with new head coach Matt LaFleur. That’s certainly very important, but if the team is to end its recent struggles and also get back to the Super Bowl anytime soon, it’s time for the defensive side of the ball to earn its keep.