“Skills In A 4-3 Defense” Packers Suddenly Pegged To Land Elite Talent For New Defense

The Green Bay Packers secured their second straight playoff berth with Jordan Love under center.  A 34-0 blow out of the New Orleans Saints improved Green Bay’s record to 11-4.  Next up?  A huge divisional matchup against the 13-2 Minnesota Vikings.

However, there could be a defensive stud on the way for the future.

“Skills In A 4-3 Defense” Packers Suddenly Pegged To Land Elite Talent For New Defense

As of late, Green Bay’s edge rusher room has performed well, but should they feel the need to add reinforcements? There could be a great fit:

Koonce is worth a look. Coming off a breakout year of 8.0 sacks, 43 tackles, and 17 quarterback hits in 2023, Koonce unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice just three days before the start of the 2024 season.

The Raiders have had a disastrous year and would be wise to retain a player with Koonce’s potential, but they could also choose to let him walk. Still only 26, Koonce’s best football may still be ahead of him, and Green Bay is an ideal landing spot where he could continue to hone his skills in a 4-3 defense.

At the very least, he’s an excellent rotational piece to pair with Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, and Brenton Cox Jr.

According to Pro Football Focus:

“If Koonce hadn’t suffered a season-ending knee injury before 2024 began and instead carried over his momentum from the back half of 2023, he could’ve been squarely within the top 10 of our list.

Perhaps the silver lining, if there is one, to getting injured so early in the year is that Koonce should be healthier entering the free agency period than if he got hurt during the season.

A short-term deal where Koonce can hit the market again in 2026, or sign an extension one year into a two-year deal a la recent edge defenders like Uchenna Nwosu, could make sense.”

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs against Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Here is a look at Koonce’s stats: