The Green Bay Packers will most likely change their defensive coordinator for next season. Joe Barry hasn't worked out and after three years, even though head coach Matt LaFleur would like to keep him, the situation seems unsustainable.

If/when Barry is fired, the Packers will have to establish a new plan. So let's analyze their options, divided by type of coach.

Head coaches who were/could get fired

Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints head coach

It was unclear if the Saints will fire him, but it's clear that he's a better coordinator than he is a head coach.

Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears head coach

Eberflus did a good job as the Colts DC, and the Bears defense has turned it around this year. After a rough start, they are 16th in DVOA with arguably worse personnel than the Packers'.

Brandon Staley, former Los Angeles Chargers head coach

The Packers would likely want to change schemes, but if LaFleur wants an upgrade with continuity, Staley is the obvious answer.

Leslie Frazier, former Minnesota Vikings head coach

Frazier was let go by Sean McDermott in Buffalo, but he is still an intriguing defensive mind.

Mike Zimmer, former Minnesota Vikings head coach

Zimmer is a controversial figure around Green Bay, but he's undoubtedly a brilliant defensive mind. In Minnesota, he took the most out of his players consistently.

Current DCs who could get fired

Ejiro Evero, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator

The Packers considered Evero in 2021, but went with Barry. It was a mistake. Now the Panthers might keep Evero for the next head coach, but it's something to keep an eye on.

Ryan Nielsen, Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator

The Saints scheme seems like a good fit for the Packers personnel, and Nielsen came from New Orleans to Atlanta. He interviewed for the Packers job in 2021.

Patrick Graham, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator

Graham worked under Mike Pettine in Green Bay as linebackers coach and run game coordinator in 2018. Since then, he's been a DC for the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and has been with the Las Vegas Raiders since 2022. They are 8th in defensive DVOA. With a new coaching staff potentially coming to the Raiders, Graham might become available.

Gus Bradley, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator

Bradley has a high floor and low ceiling, and he's not a very flexible and adaptable coach. But at least he would deliver a competent unit.

Ascending position coaches

Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots linebackers coach

Even in a bad year, the Patriots are 11th in defensive DVOA. Mayo is seen not only as a potential coordinator, but maybe as a future head coach.

Marquand Manuel, New York Jets defensive backs/safeties coach

The Jets are third in defensive DVOA and sixth in dropback EPA. The secondary is talented and well coached, and Manuel (a former Packers player) could bring the Robert Saleh system to Green Bay.

Chris Hewitt, Baltimore Ravens pass game coordinator/secondary coach

After watching the Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, you will probably want part of that, won't you?

Ben Bloom, Cleveland Browns defensive line coach

The Browns have been the best defense in football, and the defensive front is dominant. It's difficult to isolate what is coaching and what is personnel, but an interview would be worth it.

Al Harris, Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach

Another former Packers player, Harris coaches an aggressive and ball-hawking secondary under Dan Quinn and Mike McCarthy in Dallas.

Mike Smith, Minnesota Vikings outside linebackers coach/pass rush specialist

This is not a likely hire because he worked under Mike Pettine in Green Bay and left the team to join Pettine in Minnesota. He would likely run a similar system. But he's an interesting option to take the most out of the edge rushers.

Eric Henderson, Los Angeles Rams defensive line coach/run game coordinator

Each year, Henderson has gotten more attention. Obviously, Aaron Donald helps his cause, but the Rams' system stresses the line and he's gotten solid results.

Aubrey Pleasant, Los Angeles Rams defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator

Pleasant worked one and a half months for the Packers last season as an offensive assistant after being fired mid-season by the Lions. With the Rams, though, he's done a great job with a young personnel.

Johnny Holland, San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach

The 49ers' scheme prioritized the front seven, and Holland's solid job to develop linebackers has been imperative. Look at how well former Packers Oren Burks has played in San Francisco. Holland played for the Packers between 1987 and 1993 and started his coaching career in Green Bay in the 1990s.

College coaches

Jim Leonhard, Illinois senior football analyst

In 2021, Matt LaFleur offered the job to Leonhard, who decided to stay with the Wisconsin Badgers. Now, he's at a lower job at Illinois, so it's a different circumstance.

Jesse Minter, Michigan defensive coordinator

Minter is a good defensive mind and acted as the interim head coach during Jim Harbaugh's suspension. It's unclear if Harbaugh will stay in 2024, so the options could be open for the assistant as well.

How an NFL team approaches hiring a coordinator

Packers might soon be looking for a Joe Barry replacement