Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are making a big change on the defensive side of the ball to start the 2024 offseason.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Packers decided that Joe Barry will not return as the Packers defensive coordinator next season.
LaFleur wasn’t ready to make a decision as of Monday but has since met with the entire coaching staff.
Barry, who took over for Mike Pettine, spent three years in the job between 2021 and 2023. While the Packers defense had impressive stretches and even finished in the top 10 for scoring in 2023, the unit was marred in inconsistency throughout the last three seasons.
By DVOA, the Packers ranked 27th on defense in 2023, 25th in 2022 and 12th in 2021, so Barry clearly had his group trending in the wrong direction.
LaFleur’s next hire will be a critical one. The Packers have talent at each level of the defense and now need a coordinator who can better accentuate strengths and hide weaknesses. Several experienced defensive coaches are available as of Wednesday.
