Green Bay Packers fans knew something had to change, and the team finally listened.
Eric Stokes made the worst possible start to the season, struggling in coverage while starting the Packers’ opening five games. According to Pro Football Reference, Stokes allowed 21 completions on 29 targets for 256 yards and two touchdowns, with quarterbacks earning a passer rating of 122.2 in his coverage.
The Packers had seen enough and benched Stokes in their Week 6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Jaire Alexander returned from injury, and Keisean Nixon replaced Stokes’ snaps on the outside, allowing rookie Javon Bullard to play primarily in the slot.
While it’s surprising the Packers went with Nixon outside over Carrington Valentine, the decision to bench Stokes felt inevitable. By doing so, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has figured out his best starting combination in the secondary.
Benching Eric Stokes allows Packers to feature Evan Williams in the secondary
Nixon moving outside opened the door for Bullard to play in the slot, creating an opening at safety opposite Xavier McKinney. Rookie Evan Williams stepped up and has been a sensation in his first two starts.
He made the game-winning pass breakup against the Los Angeles Rams and backed it up with an even better performance versus the Cardinals. Williams reads opposing offenses like a veteran, and he made one of the plays of the game by stopping Kyler Murray from rushing for a first down on 3rd-and-1. Williams wasn’t fooled by the fake handoff to James Conner, and he showed the athleticism and tackling ability to take down Murray.
Williams then forced a fumble with a perfect punch after receiver Greg Dortch made a catch.
It’s hard to believe the Packers’ transformation at safety. They went from starting Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, and Rudy Ford, to a combination of McKinney, Bullard, and Williams.
McKinney is playing at an All-Pro level, while Bullard and Williams are early candidates to make the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Getting all three on the field together is the challenge, but Bullard’s ability to dominate in the slot is one way to make it happen. Hafley is a fan of Nixon and doesn’t want to take him off the field. He has played well enough on the outside to allow Bullard to play slot corner, with Williams taking over at safety.
What does it mean for Stokes? He is a free agent in the offseason. The Packers gave him every opportunity to lock down a starting job, but after an awful start to the season, they had no choice but to bench him.
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