Jeff Hafley farewell message to the Packers strikes an emotional tone and highlights a chapter that feels unfinished
Former Packers defensive coordinator took over as the Miami Dolphins head coach.
The Green Bay Packers finally found a high-end defensive coach, but couldn’t take full advantage of it. After two years, Jeff Hafley left to become the Miami Dolphins’ head coach, but he couldn’t start his new job without talking about the last one.
In his opening press conference in Miami, Hafley talked about what he has left behind in Green Bay with an emotional tone.
“It was hard to say goodbye to those guys,” Hafley said. “But the phone calls and the texts, you guys meant everything to me. I love you. I wish you the best, other than when we come to Lambeau next year.”
Unfinished business
The Packers were 17th in EPA/play under Mike Pettine (2018-2020) and 24th under Joe Barry (2021-2023). With Jeff Hafley, the unit improved to ninth. However, the Packers lost in the wild card round in each of his two seasons with the team.
In 2025, things could have been very different. The defense was 11th in success rate over the first 14 weeks of the season. After Micah Parsons’ injury, it dropped all the way down to 30th, and that has an obvious impact on the team’s performance against the Chicago Bears in the playoffs.
Before leaving Green Bay, Jeff Hafley predicted that Parsons would lead the league in sacks next season — Hafley won’t be with the Packers to watch it happen, but the star edge defender is doing everything he can to get back from his ACL injury as soon as possible in 2026.
DC search
The Packers have requested interviews with four candidates to replace Hafley at defensive coordinator, and all of them have a background with defensive backs. Christian Parker is out of the equation, since he took the Dallas Cowboys’ DC job. The other names are Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, and Chicago Bears DBs coach and passing game coordinator Al Harris.
Rumors indicate that the Packers would also want to interview Denver Broncos defensive pass game coordinator and assistant head coach Jim Leonhard, but he can’t talk right now since the Broncos are in preparation for the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.
Jeff Hafley couldn’t finish his business like he wanted in Green Bay. But the feeling is mutual, and both sides want success for the other — and the meeting at Lambeau Field in 2026 will be special.
Green Bay Packers News
Former first-rounder leads the group of Packers free agents who could follow Jeff Hafley to the Miami Dolphins
Quay Walker is set to become a free agent.
