You've probably been looking at "the other guys" lists all week, but let's focus on the one that matters. 

(Shouldn't you be in the soup line Sports Illustrated?)

Joe Barry is out the door, I was convinced that after beating the Cowboys handily, he'd be a lock for another run. Fortunately, Head Coach Matt LaFleur seemed to see that for the fool's gold that it was. There were several games (Panthers) where had they gone the other way, the Packers would have been in the offseason 3 weeks ago, but at the same time other games (Falcons, Steelers, Giants, Buccaneers), that might have given the Packers the 6th or even 5th seed, which might mean the Packers would still be playing for a potential Super Bowl title this weekend.

Either way, a change was needed. This defense, while loaded with talent, is lacking in the one thing that truly matters, an identity. There's no intensity, there's no passion. It's just 11 guys playing hard out there. I don't see a team, at least not consistently on the field. I've heard a lot of good things from outsiders about this defense, but one thing I've never heard of is this defense, despite its talent, is that of being feared. Jordan Love? It's no secret now that he can play. But what about this talented group of 11 on the other side that GM Brian Gutekunst has assembled over the last 5+ seasons? Nobody talks about them in the same breadth as a QB who sat behind a legend for 3 years and got his first taste as a starter. It's time that narrative changed. 

It has been a surprisingly mild offseason for head coach openings this year, given what was expected to happen. But with the slight shifts in franchise leadership across the league, a host of promising candidates have emerged for the choosing. It could be said that LaFleur and the Packers have an even better selection than they had just a few years ago, so you have to be wondering how large this choice weighs on the young head coach's mind. It's safe to say he's likely vowed to himself to never make the same mistake twice.

What's concerning is if LaFleur limits himself to only people he knows. While the infamous Jim Leonhard (he's not an option, leave him be) was offered the defensive coordinator position previously, the only other prominent offers were to Joe Barry and Ejiro Evero, two coaches whom LaFleur had worked with previously. As I'm typing this article, the Packers have scheduled a meeting with former Chargers HC Brandon Staley, who LaFleur shares familiarity with from his Rams days. I would unequivocally say this is the WRONG route to go, but who am I? 

If you don't believe it, I'm telling you right now, the Packers' Super Bowl window is open, like WIDE OPEN. As in, I just hit both buttons on my double garage door opener remote open. In about 3 years, all these young players are going to get expensive, and while the salary cap is set to explode in 2025, it's going to be impossible to retain them all. Who calls the defense for the next three years will determine if the Packers can "stumble" into a Super Bowl appearance like they almost did this year, or if they can be true year-in-and-year out favorites for the better part of a decade.

I'll say it again, Staley is NOT IT.

(LaFleur if you're reading this SMACK yourself, MULTIPLE times....tell your buddies to get their own damn Super Bowl rings)

But here's who might be, broken down into three groups.

The Stalwarts

Don "Wink" Martindale - Former Giants DC

Martindale has been around the league for over 15 years; starting with the Raiders and Broncos but predominantly with the Ravens, continuing their tradition of a dominating defense. He took a promotion from LB Coach to DC with the Ravens before departing to the Giants and began to create a culture of winning football for the G-Men (if only the offense could follow suit). Unfortunately, HC Brian Daboll and Martindale did not get along and apparently could not get along as he turned in his resignation a few weeks ago. Martindale is a cold-blooded killer, who will design unique blitzes to stifle the running game and pummel opposing quarterbacks. Martindale should be in high demand this offseason but he's likely only going to go where he's not only wanted but where he wants to be. Being an elder statesman at 60, it's not a bad question to ask if LaFleur's coaching style and culture is a fit he wants to be a part of. Either way, LaFleur has a lot of respect for Wink, going on record as calling him "one of the best in the business". If he gets the job, Martindale has an exciting play style that should get any defender chomping at the bit to get on the field.

Lovie Smith - Former Texans/Buccaneers/Illinois/Bears HC

Someone's probably going to come after me and say, "Lovie's a Bear, no way." Nah uh, yes way, because Lovie knows defense, it's in his blood. The last time Lovie was in the league the Texans were 10th in takeaways while going 3-13-1. In 9 years with the Bears, Lovie produced 4 Top-10 defenses in points allowed, 5 Top-10 in rushing defense, and 2 Top-10 in passing defense. Lovie has gone on record to say that his brand of defense is "relentless, hard, and physical". This defense NEEDS an identity, and those are three words I'd love to be attributed to this team.

Leslie Frazier - Former Bills DC

Yes, Leslie is a Bear (part of the famous 1985 Bears team). But like Lovie mentioned above, he knows defense. Frazier carries the distinction of winning a Super Bowl as both a player and a coach (he won with the Colts in 2006), and has a track record for stingy secondaries wherever he goes. Given the Packers' woes with Barry playing head-scratching coverage calls and less-than-desirable safety play, Frazier could be just what the doctor ordered. Frazier was paired with Sean McDermott from 2017-2022 (4 Top-10 finishes in yards allowed and 3 Top-5 finishes in points, including 3 Top-5 finishes in passing yards allowed with 6 Top-10 finishes in interceptions), but decided to take a break from coaching this past season. The 64-year-old is ready to return but has stated he's open to teams other than the Bills. If we're talking pure performance, especially in regards to passing defense I don't think you find a better person out there than Leslie. It's up in the air if Darnell Savage or Eric Stokes will be major players in 2024, but I have a feeling Leslie Frazier is up to the task of rehabilitating their careers.

Ron Rivera - Former Commanders HC

This is the last Bears guy (not really...), but if you like Lovie Smith you have to like "Riverboat Ron",  he coached defense for Smith as his coordinator but is also a member of the '85 Bears winning a Super Bowl with the aforementioned Leslie Frazier. Ron has been putting on a master class for years, make that decades of how to create a successful NFL defense. He had a tough run with Washington but let's be honest, we all know he wasn't the problem in D.C. Ron has had successful stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, Carolina, and Washington. He's expressed that the fire still runs hot for coaching and is willing to accept a coordinator position in 2024. Rivera has already interviewed for the Eagles job and could be off the board after the conclusion of the Pro Bowl. If LaFleur is interested, he has to move quickly. 

The Rising Stars

Ejiro Evero - Panthers DC

Yes, oh my God, YES. Evero checks all of LaFleur's boxes. 1. He knows him. 2. He's been successful at multiple stops. 3. He's young. Technically Evero's resume is really short. But it wasn't too short that both the Panthers and the Falcons interviewed him for a head coaching position. Evero would probably last in Green Bay for right at 3 years before he's plucked to be a head coach elsewhere. In two years if we only count his time as a defensive coordinator, he posted a Top-10 defense for the Broncos in 2022, and a Top-5 defense for Carolina for 2023 (in yards allowed), with both teams going a COMBINED 7-27. That's special.

Dennard Wilson - Ravens DB Coach

Wilson has been coaching for just under a decade in the NFL, but originally got his start with the Bears as a scout. Wilson was the man behind Jamal Adams 2 All-Pro selections with the Jets and also coached the Eagles to a #1 passing defense and #2 total defense en route to a Super Bowl appearance last year. Losing out on the Eagles' defensive coordinator position to Sean Desai last year, Wilson bolted to the Ravens; coaching Kyle Hamilton to his 1st All-Pro selection. The Ravens' defense this year leads the league in points allowed, sacks, and takeaways.

UPDATE: The Packers have requested an interview with Wilson.

Chris Harris - Titans Passing Game Coordinator

Harris, like Evero before him, checks all of LaFleur's boxes. The only detraction is he's never been a coordinator. Harris has interviewed with the Bears for their defensive coordinator position, and likely won't be on the shelf much longer. Should Mike Vrabel suddenly land a job, he'll likely carry him over to his next staff, but now that seems unlikely. Harris with the Titans coached two Top-10 passing defenses and has respect across the league for his success as a coach and a former player. Having already interviewed for the Bears and Jaguars, I don't expect him to last past the Super Bowl.

Kris Richard - Former Saints DC

Richard's main claim to fame was with the Legion of Boom in Seattle as their defensive coordinator. After a reshuffling of coaches in Seattle, Richard repeated his success in Dallas as a passing game coordinator, and most recently in New Orleans as their DC. As only a defensive coordinator, Richard has never, and I repeat, NEVER not had a Top-10 defense in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Could he do that again with a 4th stop in Green Bay? I think so.

UPDATE: Richard has joined the Jaguars coaching staff in a yet-to-be-named capacity. I expect it to be somewhere between Assistant Head Coach-Defense and Passing Game Coordinator.

Eric Henderson - USC DC

Henderson, formerly the Rams defensive line coach and run game coordinator, was just poached by Lincoln Riley to be his defensive coordinator at USC this fall. But then, Raheem Morris was plucked by the Falcons to be their Head Coach; which means the Rams need a defensive coordinator. Aaron Donald made a glowing recommendation for Henderson to return to the Rams' coaching ranks as DC. In addition to working with Donald, Henderson has also worked with the Chargers in the same capacity coaching Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. If he's signed by the Packers, Henderson will have similar personnel to work with in Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, T.J. Slaton, and Karl Brooks, so his 3 Top-10 rushing defenses in 5 years shouldn't be too hard to replicate. The Packers, long known for their woes against the run, could use some serious coaching "juice" in that department; and while Henderson doesn't know LaFleur personally, if McVay isn't interested, I'm sure he wouldn't mind endorsing him if LaFleur is even slightly intrigued.

The Longshots

Glenn Schumann - Georgia DC

What is so amazing about Schumann is that he's never played in the NFL...heck he never even played in college. But for whatever reason, Nick Saban saw something special in this dude and gave him a shot on the coaching staff at Alabama. I won't get into the defensive exploits of the Crimson Tide in the last few years (nor should I need to), but he followed Kirby Smart to Georgia and almost literally became unbeatable on the defensive side of the ball. Schumann isn't even 40 yet and is on track for a prolific coaching career. Signing him to Green Bay would reunite him with 3 of his former players Walker, Wyatt, and Stokes. Last year, Schumann interviewed with the Eagles for their defensive coordinator job but decided to remain with Georgia another year, so his accolades down in Athens have not gone unnoticed by the league.

Al Harris - Cowboys DB Coach

Al Harris needs no introduction to the Green Bay faithful. Unfortunately, the Packers laying the wood to the Cowboys in the Wildcard Round kind of froze their coaching staff from making any moves. Regardless, that shouldn't devalue what Harris did with rookie Daron Bland (NFL record for pick-sixes) this year, nor what he did in previous seasons with Trevon Diggs either. Harris doesn't have any defensive coordinator experience, nor passing game coordinator experience either. Should Mike McCarthy get the boot from Dallas next year, he should immediately be plucked to coach the secondary and be groomed from there in case one of the younger coaches hired this year departs for head coaching positions elsewhere.

UPDATE: Harris has gone on record that he is tied to Cowboys' DC Dan Quinn. Should he depart from Dallas, he plans to make his exit as well.

Jesse Minter - Michigan DC

This is kind of a long shot, given that Minter is one: has only been a defensive coordinator for 3 years and only in college, and two: will probably get plucked by Jim Harbaugh to be his defensive coordinator in Los Angeles. He does have some NFL experience, coaching for Jim's brother John with the Ravens from 2017-2020. So he could technically be labeled a 1st generation "Harbaugh Tree" coach, which is a good stock to come from. I don't expect LaFleur or anyone to give Minter an interview, because it's all but guaranteed for Minter to be in Chargers powder blue and gold next season, but if for some reason LaFleur stinks it up again with another bad choice, it should be interesting to see Minter's career as it takes off in the NFL, a #1 defense in the FBS is a great launching pad.

UPDATE: As predicted Minter has officially joined the Chargers staff as Defensive Coordinator.

The Packers' search for a defensive coordinator is off to a rocky start with the interview of Brandon Staley. Perhaps LaFleur is just getting a "practice run" in, or maybe he's trying to drum up some interest for his former coaching brethren. But he is NOT and SHOULD NOT be considered the best option for the defense's future. Let's hope some of the mentioned names in this article interest him more, this new and exciting window for the Packers to earn another title should not be squandered. I'll update this article as things play out.

#GPG