Packers aren’t being subtle about their intentions as early steps reveal an intriguing trend in the DC search

Green Bay has already requested interviews with Christian Parker and Daronte Jones.

Adam Holt, Tyler Forness, Wendell Ferreira
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Jul 28, 2021; Englewood, CO, United States; Denver Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker during training camp at UCHealth Training Complex.
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Matt LaFleur has started the search for his fourth defensive coordinator on the Green Bay Packers. Mike Pettine was a specialist in the defensive line, Joe Barry had a background with linebackers, and Jeff Hafley used to be a defensive backs coach.

After Hafley’s successful stint, it seems like the Packers are inclined to keep that approach in the back end. So far, two interview requests have been reported, and both are with defensive back coaches.

Christian Parker is the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach. Daronte Jones, a former DBs coach as well, is now the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive pass game coordinator.

So we asked our guys Tyler Forness, who covers the Vikings, and Adam Holt, who covers the Eagles at A to Z Sports, to share their perspectives about the assistants.

An old friend

Christian Parker started his NFL coaching career in Green Bay back in 2019 as a defensive quality control coach. He was hired by Mike Pettine for LaFleur’s inaugural coaching staff.

“We just knew from the jump,” Pettine told The Athletic. “The thing that’s always struck me with Christian is just how mature he is, beyond his years. You come to realize in coaching, there’s got to be kind of an ‘it’ factor with coaches, someone that has a presence, that he’s well respected. And it’s easy for me to see why he has progressed so quickly and has gained a reputation that he’s gained in the short amount of time he’s been in the league.”

Parker left the Packers in 2021 to become the Denver Broncos’ defensive backs coach. In 2024, he was one of the favorites in the process to get the Packers’ DC job, until Jeff Hafley surprisingly was the choice. Days later, he became the Eagles passing game coordinator and DBs coach, helping develop young players like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

For the Eagles, they have seen their secondary blossom with Parker around. He has a long history of helping develop young cornerbacks, guys like Mitchell, DeJean, Patrick Surtain II, and even Jaire Alexander early in his career. The resume is rather proven for Parker, and the hype is building. Philadelphia would love to keep him on their staff, but the opportunity may be too golden to pass up sometime soon elsewhere.

A rival

Daronte Jones has been an up-and-comer for quite awhile. He’s been with the Vikings for five of the last six seasons, after Mike Zimmer hired him ahead of 2020. He left to be Ed Orgeron’s defensive coordinator in 2021 at LSU, and returned to Minnesota to work for Kevin O’Connell in 2022. As the passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach, Jones has a big hand in the success of the defense through the air, and he’s called the plays during the preseason. If Brian Flores chooses to leave, Jones is the likely top candidate.

The Packers might still interview coaches with different experiences and background. But the early trend indicates the type of defensive coordinator Lafleur is looking for to replace a smart coach like Jeff Hafley.

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