Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator for the Packers, is under fire after his team’s appalling performance against the Buccaneers. Here is a list of possible replacements in case Matt LaFleur decides to make a move at the end of the season.
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin: Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is still the coach of the Green Bay Packers, according to Matt LaFleur. For the time being, anyhow.
After his team was tormented by the Giants’ Tommy DeVito and the Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield the last two games, Barry may need to find some quick fixes before the season ends, which could happen in three more weeks. LaFleur may then be looking for his third defensive coordinator in five years..
As base defense, don’t get too caught up on 3-4 vs. 4-3. To put it simply, the nickel base defense in the NFL consists of five defensive backs, two linebackers, and four on the line. Lukas Van Ness, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary also possess the size and strength to switch from outside linebacker to defensive end.
Here are 13 possible applicants, four of whom have worked as NFL coordinators.
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero
Evero is probably going to be hunting for a new position if he doesn’t land the head-coaching position in Carolina after Frank Reich was fired. Green Bay’s talent would most likely pique his interest. It’s likely that LaFleur would be relieved to not have to start from scratch on defense given Evero’s prior experience with the scheme.
Evero stated, “We want to play with great energy,” when he was still with Denver. “I want people to see a defense that is playing quick, aggressive, physical, and flying around the ball when they put on our tape. Our focus will be on attacking the ball, as that is imperative. We also want to be experts in all situations, such as red zone, 2-minute, and third down. We desire to control and dominate those circumstances.
Former Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard
The former standout player and native of Wisconsin, Leonhard led the Badgers to some formidable defenses. Leonhard was offered the position when LaFleur was looking to replace Mike Pettine following the 2020 season, but he declined it because of his devotion to his alma mater.
Would Leonhard take the call? A year ago, he lost out to Luke Fickell for the head job at Wisconsin. Is he happy playing the more relaxed, low-key role of Illinois’s senior analyst? Is he willing to leave his family behind? He is married and has three children. And after being turned down once, would LaFleur even think about coming back?
Don “Wink” Martindale is the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator.
It’s possible that Martindale is in New York because of a disagreement with coach Brian Daboll. Should that occur, Martindale will be highly sought after. He fielded defenses that finished first, first, and sixth in points allowed and first, fourth, and seventh in total defense during his four seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Ravens.
The Giants rank eighth on third down this season but are 25th in points allowed and 24th in total defense. No one blitzes more frequently than the Vikings. He has a 3–4 base defense.
Before losing to the Giants a few weeks ago, LaFleur stated, “Coach Martindale’s a guy that I’ve had experience going against quite a few times when he was in Baltimore.” When I was in Tennessee and he was in Baltimore, he really got the best of us. That day was one of humility.
“I have a great deal of respect for what he can do and what he’s done in his career. He’s a guy that does a great job just putting people in position and he presents a lot of different challenges for an offense.”
Joe Whitt is the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive and secondary passing game coordinator.
It’s now time for Whitt to step into the role of coordinator. During his ten years in Green Bay, the team led the league in interceptions, finished seventh in completion percentage, and had the ninth-best opponent passer rating.
The Cowboys are third in opponent rating, third in opponent completion percentage, and first in interceptions in three seasons under defensive passing-game coordinator Dallas. Dallas is ranked sixth in opponent passer rating this year, despite the loss of Trevon Diggs due to an ACL tear. Last year’s fifth-round selection DaRon Bland leads the NFL in interceptions with eight and pick-sixes with five.
He has received coaching from Dan Quinn’s 4-3 and Dom Capers’ 3-4.
Al Harris is the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive backs coach.
From 2003 to 2009, Harris was a standout cornerback for the Packers, making two trips to the Pro Bowl and snagging fourteen interceptions in his seven seasons there. With ten years of coaching experience under his belt, he played a part in the Chiefs’ success, as they have had multiple top-10 defenses and the development of the ball-hawking Cowboys secondary.
Dallas is ninth in yards per attempt and fifth in interception percentage this season, even without the All-Pro Diggs.
Daniel Bullocks is the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive backs coach.
In his seventh season as a member of the 49ers staff, he was selected in the second round of the 2006 draft. He is in his first season as the defensive backs coach after spending the previous four seasons coaching the safeties. In terms of points allowed, the Niners placed ninth in 2021, first in 2022, and second in 2023. In 2022, the Niners had the most interceptions in the league thanks in large part to the growth of safety Talanoa Hufanga. They rank fourth in terms of opponent passer rating this year.
The 49ers have a 4-3 base defense.
Detroit Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard
From 2011 to 2018, Sheppard started 63 games at linebacker. He is considered a rising star in the industry and is in his third season with the Lions under head coach Dan Campbell’s tutelage.
Campbell stated during the previous offseason, “The more we put on Shep, the more he answers the call.” His coaching skills are improving. We witness the same growth as the players. You want to witness your coaches’ development. After our conversation, AG [defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn] and I agreed that it was time to expect more from him, particularly this season.
Under Glenn, the Lions play from a 4-3.
