Green Bay Packers New Defensive Coordinator Role Unraveled

The Green Bay Packers find themselves grappling with unexpected challenges on the defensive front this NFL season. Despite initial concerns about the offense, quarterback Jordan Love has exceeded expectations, outshining even Aaron Rodgers’ 2008 performance.

Contrary to predictions, the defense, laden with experience and team leaders, has struggled to meet expectations. Injuries to key defensive players have added to the woes, but attributing failure to injuries remains a non-starter in the competitive NFL landscape. The root of the problem, many argue, lies with defensive coordinator Joe Barry.

It appears inevitable that the Packers will part ways with Barry at season’s end. In anticipation of this move, speculation abounds regarding potential successors. One notable NFL insider suggests that head coach Matt LaFleur may turn to recently fired Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.

In the 2021 defensive coordinator search, when Jim Leonhard declined the position, the final contenders were Barry and Ejiro Evero. LaFleur opted for experience and familiarity, choosing Barry—both had previously worked on the 2017 Rams coaching staff with LaFleur, with Barry also serving as the assistant head coach that season.

Both Barry and Evero were considered due to their implementation of a Fangio-style defense. Staley, hailing from the Sean McVey coaching tree, aligns with this defensive approach. Citing the shared coaching lineage and defensive philosophy, NFL insider Ted Nguyen posits that LaFleur may tap Staley as the Packers’ next defensive coordinator.