Packers’ Eric Stokes Reveals What’s Helped Improve DB Room Chemistry

The Green Bay Packers returned to the win column in Week 5 with a 24-19 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. After trailing by three points at halftime, the Packers stepped up defensively by holding the Rams to six points in the second half.

Veteran cornerback Eric Stokes was one of the Packers’ better defenders on the day as he finished with seven total tackles Green Bay is counting on the former 2021 first-rounder to lead by example after being limited to just 12 games in the previous two seasons due to injuries.

Fostering chemistry alongside his fellow defensive backs has been important to Stokes this season. When asked about how this year’s DB room compares to the 2023 version, the ex-Georgia product told The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman that some old-fashioned bonding time has made a positive difference. According to Schneidman, Stokes and the rest of Green Bay’s DBs have been taking turns watching “Thursday Night Football” at each other’s houses. Although that was an activity done in the past, the group has built more chemistry by ensuring it happens every week.

But even after all the bonding through five weeks, Stokes said that he’s hesitant to bring any sort of food a teammate might bring over.

“I do not trust nobody’s cooking right now,” Stokes said about his fellow DBs. “We just order Wing Stop and call it a day.” Even though the chemistry might be at an all-time high, there’s still room for the Packers DBs to improve. Green Bay has been susceptible to the pass this season and that’s proven by it allowing the 12th-most completions and 10th-most passing yards per game after five weeks. The situation could improve if Stokes continues to have strong performances. The 25-year-old CB is currently on pace for a career-high 51 solo tackles if he doesn’t miss another game, however, he’s still looking for his first interception and pass break-up since the 2021 season.

Two of the Packers’ next four games are against the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions, who own two of the top seven passing attacks in the league this season. Stokes and the other Green Bay DBs must continue to bond if they want to have strong enough chemistry to slow down those offenses. For now, the Packers will prepare for Sunday’s Week 6 clash with the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field.