Bears expected to interview former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry
The Chicago Bears' search for a new defensive coordinator is expected to add a familiar face to the list of candidates that the team is used to playing against. According to NFL Network's Jane Slater, the Bears are expected to interview former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry for the same position on head […]
The Chicago Bears' search for a new defensive coordinator is expected to add a familiar face to the list of candidates that the team is used to playing against.
According to NFL Network's Jane Slater, the Bears are expected to interview former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry for the same position on head coach Matt Eberflus' defensive coaching staff.
Barry spent three seasons on head coach Matt LaFleur's coaching staff with the Packers before being fired on Wednesday following the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Who is Joe Barry?
Barry now becomes the most experienced defensive coordinator candidate that has been linked to the Bears. He has 23 seasons of NFL coaching experience, including seven seasons as a defensive coordinator for three different teams.
Barry got his first defensive coordinator role with the Detroit Lions in 2007 working alongside head coach Rod Marinelli. The Lions defense ranked last in points per game allowed and total yards per game allowed. In 2008, the production, or lack there of, remained the same after an 0-16 season led to the removal of the entire coaching staff.
Barry got another opportunity to be a defensive coordinator in Washington during the 2015 season under head coach Jay Gruden. Washington reached the playoffs in 2015 with their defense ranking 17th in points per game allowed. In 2016, the unit failed to show any improvement leading to Barry's removal.
He was able to land back on his feet with the Los Angeles Rams as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach under head coach Sean McVay. He remained in the role for four seasons until he was hired by the Packers in 2021. The Packers defense ranked ninth in total yards per game allowed in 2021, 17th in 2022 and 17th again in 2023. The unit however, ranked 10th in points per game allowed.
His unit's haven’t been the most productive during his tenures as a defensive coordinator but Barry has always been well respected by all of his former coaches and players he worked alongside. There's an outside shot he could even land a role with the Bears with less of a major role that comes with being a coordinator.
Interesting enough, when the Packers removed on from their previous defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine, in 2021, he was soon hired by the Bears as a senior defensive assistant under then head coach Matt Nagy. Will the Bears once again look to hire a former assistant from their division rival once again?
Division rival could poach Bears’ defensive coordinator candidate
The process will have to start speeding up
