The Green Bay Packers‘ new addition, Nate Hobbs has been making headlines – but not for the right reasons.
Whilst the team still expect a lot from there now starting boundary corner opposite Keisean Nixon, they need the former Raider to turn down some of his otherwise encouraged enthusiasm, as he went a bit too low on second year running back, MarShawn Lloyd, during practice on Monday.
Nate Hobbs Promises To Make Smarter On-The-Field Decisions
Now the team needs to ensure that – whilst commendable in terms of effort – Hobbs reins in some of his energy to keep everyone safe and healthy entering the pre-season. And he has promised the Packers that he will do so from now on.
“It wasn’t malicious,” Hobbs said on Monday, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “I didn’t see him until the last second. I got off a blocker. I just saw him. He got low and I got low and he hit me just as I got low. I didn’t get a chance to ask him about it. But I can’t do that.
It’s hard, but it’s what we get paid to do. By any means necessary, you’ve got to find a way to do that. And I’m going to do that. I know how to do that. I’m not a rookie in the NFL. I can’t do it.”
Although it is clear that Hobbs had no intention of trying to harm his teammates – it would make very little sense if the cornerback, who signed a 4 year, $48 million deal with Green Bay this past March – were trying to do so, the ex fifth round pick certainly needs to be more diligent in adhering to the rules of padded practice.
LaFleur Had Already Publicly Rebuked Hobbs For Aggressive Play In Practice
This is not the first time that Hobbs has faced the wrath of head coach, Matt LaFleur. LaFleur had explicitly told the players to be careful and not go too full-out in practice on Monday morning.
“We need everybody to stay up on their feet,” LaFleur said. “We’re not going to the ground today (full tackling). So, that’s the expectation that I have for our guys. And I love the competitive spirit out there, but I want them to take care of each other as well.”
Hobbs reportedly got told off again by the head coach after the hit on the running back, who spent the majority of his rookie season on the sidelines with an ankle injury after being drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
“I mean, he’s still got a job to do,” Hobbs said. “He’s the head coach and he’s got to keep things in order. I wholeheartedly agree.”
