On Saturday, Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers agreed to an extension to retain LaFleur. This isn’t a “prove it” type of a deal according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. It is a “real commitment.”
So, LaFleur is staying in Green Bay and our week of wondering whether or not the Packers head coach will keep his position as head guy is over. However, the offseason is just getting started and this coaching staff is far from being finalized.
This is especially true with the other Packers news that broke on Saturday.
A New Packers Defensive Coordinator?
Schefter and Rapaport both reported on Saturday that Jeff Hafley, the Packers defensive coordinator, is a finalist for many teams’ head coaching job and is the most likely candidate for the Miami Dolphins. So, with former Packers VP of Player Personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan being hired as the Dolphins new general manager, it seems like the writing is on the wall.
Either way, the probability of Jeff Hafley being back is looking slim. So, Matt LaFleur now moves from the negotiation table to a hunt for a new defensive coordinator.
Here is a quick list of possible candidates that the Packers might look at to replace Hafley:
- 1. Demarcus Covington
- 2. Zack Orr
- 3. Christian Parker
- 4. Raheem Morris
- 5. Jim Leonhard
These are my initial thoughts. That isn’t a ranking by the way, just a first glance at who could replace Hafley. However, I, for one, would love Christian Parker who is currently the defensive pass game coordinator for the Eagles. He would do a lot to help fix the Packers defensive backfield. Plus, he comes from that Vic Fangio tree that would absolutely give a huge boost to Micah Parsons.
The Packers interviewed him last time and at one point was even rumored to have hired him. Here is the article I wrote about him two years ago!
What About Rich?
Listen, it really does sound like the Packers love Rich Bisaccia. I think they love what he provides the team as an assistant head coach more so than what he does for special teams. However, that shouldn’t be a good enough reason for him to stick around after what has been horrendous special teams play over the past couple of years.
That being said, I lowkey expect Rich Bisaccia to be back. Green Bay has always been slow to make these types of sudden moves with its coaching staff. This is even more true when it comes to well payed coaches like Coach Bisaccia. They can always look back at injuries and the lack of a returner as an excuse for Rich rather than put all of the blame on him.
This is not what I believe, by the way. I think it is time for a change. And, maybe that will happen and maybe by the time you are reading this, it will have already happened.
I’m just not expecting a change.
Any Other Possible Packers Coaching Changes?
Absolutely, there is possibility for more coaching changes. If Hafley does in fact leave for Miami or somewhere else, then I would expect him to take most of his defensive staff with him (only if their positions are clear upgrades). So, any new defensive coordinator would be given the task of filling out any defensive coaching positions left vacant.
Hafley could also take some of LaFleur’s offensive guys. The Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich could be given the opportunity to go with Hafley to be his offensive coordinator.
Why would Stenavich leave for the same position elsewhere? Well, play calling. Matt does the play calling in Green Bay. Not Stenavich. The Packers and Matt LaFleur don’t have to let Stenavich leave, but I would expect LaFleur would let him go considering he was gifted the same opportunity with the Titans prior to taking the Packers head job.
Of course, this would leave an opening for the offensive coordinator position too. But, I kind of doubt this scenario happens.
It’s a long season, and a lot has to be determined.
But regardless,
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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