As organized team activities (OTAs) began last week, the Green Bay Packers formally altered their roster. Since the squad is switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense this year, this is especially important for the front seven of the team. Don’t expect any significant personnel changes, though, given the way the team assembled their roster.
Preston Smith and other 3-4 outside linebackers have raised questions about their ability to fill the 4-3 strongside linebacker position. When the Packers revised their roster this week, he and every other 3-4 outside linebacker from the 2023 roster were labeled as defensive linemen.
Presume that the nose tackles and 3-4 defensive ends will be 4-3 defensive tackles, the 3-4 inside linebackers will be 4-3 linebackers, and the 3-4 outside linebackers will be 4-3 defensive ends. That’s basically what Green Bay is saying at the moment.