The Packers Must Selfishly Hope Jeff Hafley Sticks Around

The Green Bay Packers finally struck gold with a defensive coordinator. There were more than just glimpses of it last year in Jeff Hafley's first year, and the encore in 2025 has been even better. Hafley has been so impressive that he could become a prized head coaching candidate when the hiring cycle begins next month.

The Packers must selfishly hope that Hafley sticks around a bit longer. His defense is fifth-best in points allowed per game at 18.8. Even in Green Bay's three losses, the defense allowed 16,13, and 10 points, respectively. That's in the losses.

If the points per game number doesn't satisfy you, consider that the Packers are fourth in opponent yards per game (284.8), sixth in passing yards allowed per game, and eighth in rushing yards allowed per game. On top of that, Hafley has lived up to his words back at his introductory press conference about maximizing each player's ability within his defense.

Quay Walker has been far better with Hafley as defensive coordinator. Before his gruesome season-ending injury, we were witnessing the best of Devonte Wyatt. Yes, having Micah Parsons helps a ton, but this unit was pretty spectacular last year before Parsons' arrival.

Hafley's defense has allowed the group to flourish as a whole while also seeing young players like Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, and Edgerrin Cooper come into their own. It's exactly what he set out to do when he came in.

With no disrespect to the likes of Joe Barry and Mike Pettine, the defense is unequivocally different with Hafley running the show. For the first time in a long time, when national pundits talk about Green Bay, they start by rhapsodizing over the championship-level defense. When's the last time the defense has led a Packers team that has been a serious contender? Going from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers made it easier to expect the offense to carry the weight. While Jordan Love has been good for the most part, Hafley's defense is different. It's special.

After the loss to Carolina, there were plenty of armchair analysts in Packerland suggesting that, if they let LaFleur go at the end of the year, they should promote Hafley to head coach. Some even tossed out the idea of promoting Hafley anyway and keeping LaFleur on as offensive coordinator — a bold idea that would absolutely never happen. But it shows how much people appreciate Hafley.

Having to reset the defense with Hafley’s departure in the offseason would be a calamity. You can keep the same core players on defense, but that doesn't mean they will find the same level of success. Having players like Parsons and Xavier McKinney will help keep the train on the tracks, but look at Barry's last year and Hafley's first year. Those two defenses featured many of the same players, yet produced vastly different results.

Hafley will almost certainly at least get the opportunity to interview for some top jobs this offseason. The New York Giants already have a vacancy; Hafley grew up near there, and when the Packers traveled to MetLife earlier this year, Hafley bought tickets for 30 family members and friends. The gig with the G-Men could be a perfect fit.

There's nothing the Packers can really do to entice Hafley to stay around if he's offered a head coaching gig. It feels like a matter of when, not if. It's possible Hafley goes the Ben Johnson route and sticks around another year before diving into the head coaching waters. Regardless of how it plays out, it seems inevitable that Hafley will be a head coach sooner rather than later.

When that day comes, the Packers will have to cross their fingers that they can hit pay dirt on another defensive coordinator hiring. It feels slightly untoward to be discussing this in the middle of a playoff hunt, and thankfully, this isn't like the college ranks where it's a total free-for-all (I’m looking at you, Lane Kiffin).

No matter how this season concludes, one of the first things to keep your eye on in the offseason is Hafley's situation. The Packers can only hope he sticks around a bit longer.