The Green Bay Packers have been on the search for a new defensive coordinator ever since finally firing former DC, Joe Barry, who had continuously failed to get the most out of a defensive lineup stacked with 1st round picks and blue chip talent like Rashan Gary, Jaire Alexander and Kenny Clark.
Despite interviewing multiple high profile candidates such as ex-Los Angeles Chargers head coach, Brandon Staley, Baltimore Ravens’ inside linebackers and secondary coaches, Zach Orr and Dennard Wilson, the Packers have landed on somewhat of a left-field candidate for the position, per Pete Thamel.
Jeff Hafley is currently the head coach of Boston College, where he had winning records in 3 out of his 4 seasons and a strong defense each of those years. He also has 5 years of NFL experience as defensive back’s coach at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, so is already well versed in the league’s ins and outs.
Hafley also spent time as the co defensive coordinator of Ohio State, where he gained a strong reputation as an excellent recruiter and keen defensive mind.
After the failure of Joe Barry’s tenure, despite putting forward a top 10 defense in 2021, the Packers will want to quickly establish that side of the ball opposite Jordan Love as he goes into the final year of his short two year extension signed last summer.
Considering what Green Bay have to work with on D, even after the departure of veteran, Rasul Douglas, success will really consist of being a consistent unit against the rush, something with which the Packers have struggled ad nauseum, alongside the already fairly strong pass defense.
Let’s see what happens, and if Hafley is finally able to turn the Packers defense into a strength of the team, rather than a liability.
