7 Packers assistants land on key list that may reshape the complexion of the coaching staff as decisions loom for Green Bay
Adam Stenavich leads the group, despite some criticism over his performance as the offensive coordinator.
While there is some level of criticism over head coach Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff this season, the perception around what the Green Bay Packers has built is completely different around the league. Seven Packers assistants made Tom Pelissero’s traditional list of young and rising coaches who could ascend in the NFL over the past few years.
And there’s more: The list doesn’t include defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, because he’s already 46, but he is still the most natural and strong candidate for the next hiring cycle.
Offensive side
Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, 42, was mentioned by Pelissero as a potential candidate for the next cycle. This is what he wrote on NFL.com:
“An All-Big Ten offensive lineman at Michigan who bounced around for parts of five NFL seasons, Stenavich returned to pro football as the 49ers’ assistant offensive line coach in 2017 and then the Packers as OL coach in 2019. He handles most of Green Bay’s run game and works with not only the offensive line, but the quarterbacks, too.
“The Green Bay offense has scuffled recently amidst a rash of injuries to key players. But Matt LaFleur considers Stenavich an invaluable asset, and he’s already on the radar. Stenavich got an interview for the Bears’ head-coaching job last year, in addition to multiple interviews for play-calling OC jobs. He’ll remain in the mix.”
Two other offensive assistants on the list, but as future considerations, are senior assistant Luke Getsy and quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion. Getsy has already left Green Bay to be a play-calling offensive coordinator on the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders, but returned during last season. Mannion is a former NFL quarterback who started his coaching career last season as an offensive assistant, but was promoted after Tom Clements retired.
Defensive pieces
While Jeff Hafley is the most obvious candidate, the rest of the defensive staff also has a list of future candidates.
Pelissero mentioned passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley, DL coach/run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington, defensive backs coach Ryan Downard, and linebackers coach Sean Duggan. Ansley, for the Chargers, and Covington, for the Patriots, have already had experiences as defensive coordinators.
The Packers have built a strong foundation behind Matt LaFleur, with several young pieces to work with an also young roster of players.
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