Matt LaFleur Urges Packers Free Agent Signing to Tone it Down at Training Camp

No team has put themselves in a position quite like the Green Bay Packers. Two major signings were made this offseason, with one of them already causing a scene at Packers training camp.

Coming to town on a four-year, $48 million deal, the Packers needed to replace Jaire Alexander. Upon signing this player in March, they had no idea if Alexander was still going to be on the team. There’s nothing wrong with adding a little depth, even if their newest player has been told to tone it down.

Nate Hobbs’ Aggressive Training Camp Approach

11-on-11 drills were the first real test for Nate Hobbs in his new uniform. The former Las Vegas Raiders rookie has now spent four years in the league. At 26-years-old, he’s barely begun to scratch the surface in the NFL.

Hobbs will immediately be slotted into the Packers defensive rotation. Without Alexander, they lack depth. Even though Alexander struggled with injuries throughout his run in Green Bay, his talent was undeniable.

Now, the Packers look to their newest $48M player. Hobbs has 200 solo tackles in his career, with 281 total in four seasons. He’s recorded both three sacks and three interceptions, and has one fumble recovery as well.

For Green Bay, Hobbs came in and wanted to make his presence known. LaFleur was the one to tell him to tone it down, but Dontayvion Wicks felt the impact not once but twice.

 LaFleur and Wicks Speak on Hobbs

It’s one thing for LaFleur to watch things happen, but it’s another for Wicks to be there in the moment. After Wicks took awhile to get up, he spoke about Hobbs and his defensive approach.

“It happened twice today, but it’s all good. We’re football players at the end of the day,” Wicks said.

He added, “We’re going to have to take some hits, but it’s cool. I’m good. … Some guys got a different type (of) motor, and everybody ain’t the same when we’re competing and going for the ball.”

LaFleur added his thoughts, saying, “The answer is yes” in regard to Hobbs needing to tone it down physically. He said, “This is what I told him: I don’t think it’s malicious.”

“I think it’s one of the things and one of the qualities that we really admired about him, is how he competes. It’s just, we talk about competing for the football,” LaFleur mentioned.

He continued, “We just don’t want to go through a person, whoever that person is, to make a play on the ball. I don’t mind him going through the hands. We just don’t want him going through the body because that’s how you end up with people on the ground. We’d all be sick to our stomach if somebody got hurt.”

Hobbs Adds His Thoughts

After hearing what his new coach had to say, Hobbs made sure to clarify what happened at training camp, “I mean, that’s football, you know what I’m saying?”

Hobbs added, “Things like that (are) gonna happen. I just feel like it’s the nature of the game, and if you playing it the right way, they gon’ have to tell you to slow down. Obviously, you gotta be a pro about it. Obviously, you need everybody on the team, but I’m a football player, man. I’m not gon’ stop being a football player.”

Knowing that the pads will be coming out on Monday, July 28, Hobbs will have his chance to fully go at practice. His time in Green Bay is just beginning, as he’s already made a lasting impact.