The Green Bay Packers now have an opening at defensive coordinator after the team announced that it parted ways with Joe Barry. Given the upward trajectory that this Packers team is on, this should be a highly coveted position.
With their play during the second half of the season, the Packers laid a strong foundation in 2023 that has provided them with a jumping off point into 2024 and beyond. Jordan Love not only established himself as the long-term answer at quarterback, but for an extended period of time, he was one of the best in football this past season.
The youngest offense in the NFL last season has a passing game that is loaded with a bevy of playmakers, both at receiver and tight end. The offensive line was playing at a very high level at the end of the season, while Aaron Jones still proved he is one of the best running backs in football.
Barring a setback of any kind, with the talent and youth on this roster, the Packers’ Super Bowl contention window should be opening.
On defense, the Packers continued to be very inconsistent from week-to-week – hence the opening at coordinator – but that side of the ball still has foundational players that will be returning for 2024. A few of those players include Kenny Clark, along with a young, up and coming interior defensive line room. Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, and Lukas Van Ness at edge rusher. Quay Walker at linebacker, along with Jaire Alexander and Carrington Valentine at cornerback.
This offseason isn’t going to require some sort of massive overhaul for the Packers defense. There are, of course, still holes to fill at safety, while linebacker depth and playmaking is needed at cornerback. But by and large, the foundation for this unit is pretty well established.
Also, because of the stability of the organization and where this team is positioned looking ahead to 2024, a defensive coordinator doesn’t have to worry about this being a one-and-done season, which could be the case if he were to join a team where the head coach is even somewhat on the hot seat.
As long as the hire proves to be capable, this will be a multi-year opportunity with team that has Super Bowl aspirations.
Given the potential opportunity that lies ahead for this Packers team, this is a hire that Matt LaFleur has to get right. Possible playoff runs cannot be squandered because the wrong person was brought in.
It’s also worth mentioning that up to his point, LaFleur’s track record with coordinator hirings has been spotty. Rich Bisaccia is the third special teams coordinator since LaFleur took over as head coach and whoever the next defensive coordinator is will be the third of LaFleur’s tenure as well—including two hirings with him inheriting Mike Pettine in Year 1.
In no particular order, some potential candidate names include Jim Leonard, Ejiro Evero (who is still under contract with Carolina), Brandon Staley, Al Harris, Jesse Minter, Wink Martindale, Aubrey Pleasant, Leslie Fraser, Mike Zimmer, Chris Harris, Chris Hewitt, and Anthony Weaver.
Regardless of who the Packers bring in, the new defensive coordinator needs to be willing to not only make week-to-week adjustments, but in game ones as well. Early on in the season, LaFleur said that the Packers were too “rigid” defensively.
There was also a clear disconnect in either the messaging, the teaching, or both, from Barry to his assistant coaches and players, which resulted in poor communication, players being out of position, and an overall lack of execution. It’s hard to get buy-in from the team when there isn’t the full understanding of why something is being done a certain way.
I’ve also mentioned before that a different system, other than the Vic Fangio-style defense that Barry ran, and LaFleur wanted in Green Bay, could lead to additional growth because of there being a greater variety in philosophies and different ideas being exchanged, instead of everyone having the same thought process.
As we’ve seen across the NFL this season, the name of the game right now is being disruptive at the line of scrimmage. Barry was too passive, and in part, that’s a product of the defensive system unless there are game-wreckers up front.
The pressure is on LaFleur to knock this hire out of the park, but one thing he will certainly have going for him is that he should be able to choose just about anyone he wants. There will be plenty of top candidates lining up to be the Packers next defensive coordinator.