Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs leans
on his faith as he tries to bounce back after getting benched
[October 30, 2025]
By STEVE MEGARGEE
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — This wasn’t the type of start Nate Hobbs had
in mind when the former Las Vegas Raiders defensive back signed with
the Green Bay Packers.
Hobbs dealt with a knee injury during training camp, struggled
through the first half of the season and finally fell out of a
starting cornerback role Sunday during the Packers’ 35-25 victory
over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hobbs says his struggles aren’t a
result of feeling extra pressure to live up to the four-year, $48
million contract he signed in the offseason.
“It’s only pressure if you make it pressure,” Hobbs said Wednesday.
“The pressure’s all in your head.”
Hobbs repeatedly mentioned his faith while talking to reporters
about how he’s dealing with adversity. He cited the example of New
York Jets quarterback Justin Fields, who rallied his team to a 39-38
triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday and then spoke during
an emotional news conference about how his faith helped him cope
after getting benched and receiving criticism from owner Woody
Johnson.
“I’ll piggyback off him,” Hobbs said. “My faith in God — not even in
myself, in God — is so thick and so strong, nothing can penetrate
that faith. And I rely on God and not myself and I know he’s putting
me through this and teaching me a lesson, and I think it’s all just
depending and relying on him. I can’t do everything myself. I try to
do everything myself, and that’s not going to work.”
Hobbs only played four defensive snaps against the Steelers as 2023
seventh-round draft pick Carrington Valentine started in his place.
Hobbs had started each of Green Bay’s first five games and was on
the field for every defensive snap against Cincinnati and at
Arizona, the two games before the trip to Pittsburgh.
Coach Matt LaFleur praised Valentine’s performance but added that
“it’s going to continue to be a competitive situation because we
still have a ton of confidence in Hobbs.”
Hobbs believes he’s playing fine most of the time but adds that
cornerback is an unforgiving position that exposes all mistakes.
Hobbs said he must make sure he’s wired in and focused on every
single snap.
“When you play corner, it boils down to a couple plays,” Hobbs said.
“I have a lot of snaps where I played really good, you know what I’m
saying? Really good snaps, really good plays. You take two, three
plays here and there, but that’s just the life of a corner. That’s
why I signed up for it.”
One example came at Arizona, when Hobbs allowed a 35-yard completion
to Marvin Harrison Jr. on third-and-14. That conversion set up a
Cardinals touchdown in a game the Packers won 27-23.
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Green Bay Packers defensive back Nate Hobbs (21) looks to defend
during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday,
Sept. 28, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson,File)
“He kind of slowed down, I slowed down, we didn’t
think ball was coming our way,” Hobbs said. “And he kind of sped up,
and by the time I got my head around, the ball was dropping in.”
One week later, Hobbs was spending most of the game on the sideline.
Hobbs refused to make excuses for his struggles thus far.
The 26-year-old missed much of the preseason after undergoing
surgery for a torn meniscus this summer, but Hobbs says his knee
isn’t an issue now.
Hobbs also has been working outside as a cornerback with the Packers
after primarily playing nickel back during his four seasons with the
Raiders. Hobbs believes the cornerback spot suits him well.
“I feel like that’s what I’m built for,” Hobbs said.
Hobbs has reason to feel confident he can bounce back. His Pro
Football Focus ratings suggest he's one of the league’s top
cornerbacks against the run. He just needs to shore up his pass
coverage.
He believes that will come in time.
“I know who I am as a man and I know myself as a player,” Hobbs
said. “I’m relentless.”
NOTES: The Packers signed defensive lineman Dante Barnett and
cornerback Tyron Herring to their practice squad. … Linebacker Nick
Niemann (pectoral), defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness (foot) and wide
receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) didn’t practice Wednesday. Van Ness
and Wicks didn’t play against the Steelers. … LaFleur was asked
Wednesday about a potential return date for running back MarShawn
Lloyd, who hasn’t played yet this season due to a hamstring injury.
“I wouldn’t count on that any time soon,” LaFleur said.
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