During the offseason, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the defense needs to be better than the offense. One of the biggest moves the Packers made was hiring Mike Pettine to be the defensive coordinator. Pettine was the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2009-2012 as well as the Buffalo Bills in 2013 and each defense led by him was ranked in the top 10 when it comes to yards allowed per game. And with the addition of defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, cornerback Tramon Williams and rookie cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, it looked like the Packers defense was going to take a step in the right direction in 2018.

That has not been the case so far as the Packers are ranked 23rd in total defense, 22nf in passing defense and 26th in rushing defense. So it's clear the Packers need more help on defense in order to reach their goal this year, and there is one player who can make a big impact.

Veteran safety Eric Reid is still a free agent after his rookie contract expired with the San Francisco 49ers last year. There are a number of reasons why he's a free agent, but it has nothing to do with his production on the field. Pettine loves players who are versatile and Reid is as versatile as they come as he can play, strong safety, free safety, outside cornerback, inside cornerback and even linebacker. Reid can defend the run and pass, but he's not an elite run or pass defender. He's a guy who can do a little bit of everything on defense which makes him valuable for any NFL team. Last year, Reid recorded 67 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended. He reached the Pro Bowl in 2013 after posting 77 tackles, four interceptions and 11 passes defended.

The Packers will look to get back on track when they host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Make sure you’re in the loop – take five seconds to Sign up for our FREE Packers newsletter now!

What Reid can do is a little similar to what former Packers defensive back Micah Hyde did for the team from 2013-2016. Hyde played various positions in the secondary and he was arguably the team's most valuable defensive back in 2016 after recording 56 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and nine passes defended. The Packers did not re-sign Hyde last year which led to him joining the Buffalo Bills. Hyde was able to have a career year in Buffalo as he registered 82 tackles, five interceptions and 13 passes defended.

Right now, the Packers have Kentrell Brice and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as the starting safeties. Clinton-Dix is solid as he now has two interceptions this year. But Brice is a different story as he is having issues locating the ball in pass coverages which led to touchdowns against the Vikings and the Redskins. The Packers also have Josh Jones who was drafted in the second round last year, but he has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. And even when he was healthy, the Packers went with Brice during training camp and the preseason.

What the Packers need is a playmaker on defense and while Reid is no Earl Thomas or Eric Berry, he would give the Packers an edge it needs moving forward. Adding Reid doesn't mean the Packers will automatically reach the Super Bowl, but the defense has a chance to make strides which is something McCarthy and the Packers fans want.