Green Bay Packers Face Defensive Dilemma as Calls for Joe Barry’s Firing Intensify

The Green Bay Packers clinched a narrow 33-30 victory against the Carolina Panthers, but the spotlight remains on their struggling defense, particularly defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Despite an impressive offensive performance, with Jordan Love shining and Aaron Jones back in top form, the defense faltered against the Panthers.

In the first half, the Packers built a 23-10 lead, seemingly enough to secure a comfortable win. However, the defense allowed rookie quarterback Bryce Young to have a career day, connecting on 23-of-35 throws for 312 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers, who hadn’t scored 30 points all season, nearly forced overtime, exposing vulnerabilities in the Packers’ defense.

Packers fans and media are vocal about their discontent, urging the franchise to part ways with Joe Barry immediately. Despite the win, critics argue that the defensive coordinator’s unit is not delivering the expected results. Media voices like Andy Herman of Packer Report and Peter Bukowski of The Leap emphasize the urgency of a change, with Herman stating, “There’s absolutely zero excuse at this point.”

Even after the defensive struggles in previous games, head coach Matt LaFleur has remained loyal to Joe Barry. However, the latest performance has intensified the calls for a change. Some argue that for the Packers to succeed in the final two games and make a playoff run, a defensive shake-up is necessary.

Questions arise about LaFleur’s plan and commitment to Barry. Despite the defensive woes, LaFleur stated after the game against the Panthers that the “plan” was to keep Joe Barry for the rest of the season. This decision has left many puzzled, considering the season-high points allowed to one of the league’s weakest teams.

As the Packers face crucial matchups against the Vikings and Bears in their quest for a playoff spot, the spotlight is on their defense. The pressure is mounting on LaFleur to address the glaring issues in the defensive unit. While it’s uncertain whether a change will be made at this point, the consensus among Packers enthusiasts is that action is warranted for a chance at a successful postseason.