When looking at the box score from the Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings game this past week, many would come to the conclusion that the Packers secondary failed. True, the secondary played a big part in Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throwing for over 400 yards in their 29-29 tie, but there is more to the story. Cousins is a solid NFL quarterback, but a lot of NFL quarterbacks could throw for a lot of yards when they aren’t rushed. While defensive tackles Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark got some decent push up the middle, the Green Bay Packers edge pass rushers were missing in action. If that continues, the secondary will continue to be picked a part.

So far this season, the Packers have only gotten one and a half sacks from their edge pass rushers. In their victory over the Chicago Bears, outside linebacker Nick Perry registered one sack, which came late in the game. This past week against the Vikings, fellow outside linebacker Reggie Gilbert registered a half a sack. Those types of numbers are disappointing enough, but figure in that the Bears and the Vikings don’t have upper echelon offensive lines, it makes it even more disappointing.

When Dom Capers was in charge of the Packers defense, the outside linebacker position was the position that created the most pass rush. The “Blizburgh” style that Capers help create depended on having outside linebackers who could get to the quarterback. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s style of defense isn’t dependent on the edge pass rushers being the dominant pass rushers of the defense. But that doesn’t mean that the Packers defense should rely solely on the interior of the defensive line to create a pass rush.

Daniels has shown that he has the ability to push the pocket from the inside. Clark, who is in just his third season, is starting to become a major presence as well. He has already registered a sack this season. With Daniels and now Clark showing they can get to the quarterback, it should open up opportunities for the Green Bay Packers edge pass rushers.

But so far, that hasn’t happened. Clay Matthews and Perry are proven NFL pass rushers. Both have battled injuries in their career, but they are currently healthy and are expected to do more. Except for Perry’s one sack, the duo has been non-existent in the pass rush in regards to sacks. The Packers have a lot of money invested in both and it is essential that they start getting to the quarterback. They will need help from Pettine, for him to create favorable matchups for the veteran pass rushers.

If Perry and Matthews can’t step up their game, the Packers will need for Gilbert to do so. Gilbert had a stand out preseason and looked like he would be a solid number three option going into this season. He did have the half of sack this past week, but he will need to do more. Gilbert has the ability, but like with Perry and Matthews, needs to step up and be put in situations to succeed.

Those aren’t the only three that need to start to step up. Muhammad Wilkerson, who was brought in as a free agent, has lined up frequently as a defensive end in the Packers 4-3 alignment. But he also hasn’t shown much from the edge. While he doesn’t have the burst that Perry, Matthews, or even Gilbert has, he has the size and long arms to create mismatches against opposing tackles. But in the Packers first two games this season, Wilkerson has looked nothing like the player that registered 12 sacks back in 2015. Wilkerson was the Packers big free agent pick up this off-season, so if he doesn’t produce it will be a big hit for the Packers defense.

The other edge pass rusher on the Packers roster is Kyler Fackrell. The Packers spent a third round pick on him three years ago and he hasn’t shown the type of edge pass rush ability needed to play in the NFL. Fackrell’s lack of production even drew the ire of former Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga. Poppinga, who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2012 and was at best an average player himself, recently stated that he “could trot out onto the field, with my old 51, and beat out Fackrell in a second as a backup outside back on the Packers team”. Sadly, he might be right.

If the Packers can’t start to create a pass rush from the edge, Pettine will be forced to be more creative with his blitz packages. They have had some success blitzing secondary players so far this season, but he can’t depend on that all the time to create a pass rush. If the Green Bay Packers edge pass rushers can’t get it going, the Packers secondary is going to suffer. If that happens, Packers fans will see a lot of what they witnessed in the second half against the Vikings.