Which Defensive Coordinators Make the Most Sense For Green Bay?

After the Miami Dolphins hired Jeff Hafley to be their head coach, the Green Bay Packers are right back in the business of needing a defensive coordinator after two years of Hafley running the show. There should be candidates kicking in the door for the opportunity given what Green Bay has, primarily with Micah Parsons.

Let's talk about candidates that make the most sense.

Jonathan Gannon

The Arizona Cardinals let Gannon go this offseason. Before that brief pit stop, he was the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia for two years. Gannon called defensive plays with the Philadelphia Eagles but did not do so with the Cardinals. There are no direct ties between Gannon and the Packers, but he would bring a veteran presence with experience calling plays for an NFL defense.

The Dallas Cowboys already interviewed Gannon for their defensive coordinator gig. While it didn't work out for him as a head coach in Arizona, it shouldn't skew his perception as someone more than capable of leading a defense.

Christian Parker

Parker might be the most intriguing name in the cycle for Green Bay.

The Packers hired LaFleur in 2019, and then-defensive coordinator Mike Pettine brought Parker in to be the defensive quality-control coach. After two years in Green Bay, Parker spent 2021-23 as the defensive backs coach in Denver and Philadelphia, where he's still the defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator.

Parker has direct links to Green Bay, having worked on LaFleur's first staff. People also regard him as a rising candidate who many believe could be the next star defensive coordinator.

The risk would come from hiring a first-time defensive coordinator and recognizing that there could be growing pains. Can the Packers afford to risk that with a team that believes their championship window exists right now?

Parker could be a home run hire, but there is an unknown since he's never had the role before. He also interviewed for the job in 2024, before the Packers chose Hafley.

Jim Leonhard

A familiar name who had the defensive coordinator gig in 2021 on a platter, Leonhard's name is popping up yet again. All signs pointed to the Packers hiring Leonhard for the job in 2021, but he removed his name from consideration late in the process to remain at Wisconsin. At the time, Leonhard noted it wasn't the right time for him to go to the NFL. He remained at Wisconsin but has spent the past two years in Denver in a couple of different roles.

On Tuesday, Barry Alvarez endorsed Leonard for the job this time around.

Rumblings have already surfaced about LaFleur's potential interest in interviewing Leonhard during this cycle, although the Broncos are currently preparing for an AFC Championship.

Leonhard has plenty of Wisconsin ties and Green Bay ties, given he was the likely choice in 2021 after hitting it off with LaFleur.

Raheem Morris

Morris and LaFleur were on the same staff in Washington in 2012 and 2013, and Morris has extensive experience. He's been a defensive coordinator in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and was most recently the head coach of the Falcons.

While many of his numbers as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator don't jump off the page, Morris has a high floor if he were to be the choice, given his history as a DC.

Daronte Jones

As of writing, Green Bay has lined up official interviews with three candidates. Gannon, Parker, and Jones.

Like Parker, Jones hasn't been a defensive coordinator in the NFL. However, he was at LSU for one year in 2021. He's spent the past two years as Minnesota's passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.

He's worked under Flores during that time. If he brings any semblance of what Flores has as a defensive mastermind, it could be a gem of a hire for Green Bay or anyone who interviews Jones.

The only ties to Wisconsin go back to 2015, when Jones was the Badgers' defensive backs coach. Outside of that, there are no direct ties to the Packers, but he has landed a confirmed interview.