As Jeff Hafley gains traction for the Dolphins job, Packers already have 6 defensive coordinator candidates to consider
Matt LaFleur will possibly be forced to look for another defensive coordinator.
While the Green Bay Packers finally found a great option at defensive coordinator, he shouldn’t be around for much longer. After two years in Green Bay, Jeff Hafley is emerging as the likely head coach for the Miami Dolphins, following their new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
LaFleur is expected to sign a contract extension, and he will potentially have to find his fourth defensive coordinator after Hafley, Joe Barry, and Mike Pettine.
So, let’s discuss six potential options at DC for the Packers if Hafley moves on.
6 candidates for Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator job
Raheem Morris, former Falcons HC
Morris has two stints as a head coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, and he’s now available again after being fired in Atlanta. Despite having extensive experience in the NFL, Morris has served as a defensive coordinator only once, from 2021 to 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams.
They were 14th in EPA/play and 17th in success rate in that timeframe. Morris worked with Matt LaFleur on the Falcons between 2015 and 2016, and they have a connection point with Sean McVay.
Jonathan Gannon, former Cardinals HC
Gannon, 43, was the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2022. In that period, the Eagles’ defense was eighth in EPA/play and 19th in success rate. A former defensive backs coach, he spent three years as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach.
Christian Parker, Eagles PCG/DB coach
Parker was one of the Packers’ favorites in 2024 until Jeff Hafley surprisingly emerged from Boston College. At the time, he was the Denver Broncos’ defensive backs coach, but left to be the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator and DBs coach.
Parker worked for the LaFleur and the Packers from 2019 to 2020 as a defensive quality control coach, and he is still looking for his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator.
Jim Leonhard, Broncos AHC/PGC
LaFleur offered Leonhard the DC job back in 2021, but he refused the offer to stay at Wisconsin at the time — and the Packers hired Joe Barry instead. Now, Leonhard has already made the jump to the NFL, working for the Denver Broncos.
Initially, he was hired as a defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, and in 2025, he was promoted to assistant head coach. He works under Vance Joseph and helped build one of the top defenses in football this season.
DeMarcus Covington, Packers DL coach/RGC
Covington had an unsuccessful stint as the Patriots’ defensive coordinator in 2024. Then, he was hired by the Packers as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator. Covington has generated DC interest from the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets, and would be the top internal candidate.
Jeff Ulbrich, Falcons DC
Ulbrich also worked with LaFleur in Atlanta. In 2025, he was the Falcons’ defensive coordinator under Morris, and the team finished 14th in EPA/play. He also worked under Robert Saleh in 2024 and acted as the interim head coach after Saleh got fired.
Green Bay Packers News
Latest report sheds new light on Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst futures with the Packers as pressure continues to build
Ed Policy is about to make a final decision.
