The Green Bay Packers are now 6-8 after a humiliating home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The 34-20 loss confirmed what many Packers supporters have been saying all season: Joe Barry’s defense has not worked, is not working, and will not work in the future. Despite yet another defensive disaster, head coach Matt LaFleur has announced that Barry will continue to serve as defensive coordinator for the rest of the season.
The decision, while unpopular, makes sense. There is no other defensive coach on the Packers’ coaching staff who is certified to call defensive plays. Barry might not have made it this far in the season if Jerry Gray had not moved for greater pastures with the Atlanta Falcons. However, the Packers now lack someone capable of serving as an acting coordinator, including Barry.
Even though Barry is still employed [for the time being], many believe he will be let off at the end of the season. While the terms of the Packers’ assistant coaches’ contracts are not public, previous experience implies that they are on three-year contracts. Because this is Barry’s third year in Green Bay, it is most likely the last year of his deal. At this point, signing him to a new deal would be organizational malpractice. Rather, his contract will not be renewed.
While this isn’t the firing that many supporters want, the end result is the same: Green Bay will be seeking for a new defensive coordinator this offseason. While many names are being examined, one Packers insider feels LaFleur should consider a coach who is well-known to Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fans.
An insider with the Green Bay Packers believes Jim Leonhard should be on Matt LaFleur’s list of defensive coordinator candidates (once again).
As Packers supporters are well aware, Barry was not the first person LaFleur approached about the position of defensive coordinator in 2021. Jim Leonhard, then the defensive coordinator for the Wisconsin Badgers and a 10-year NFL veteran, received this accolade. To the chagrin of supporters, Leonhard turned down a job with the Packers in order to stay in Madison.
Leonhard took over as interim head coach at Wisconsin after Paul Chryst was sacked. He was not, however, offered the full-time position that is now held by current head coach Luke Fickell. Leonhard chose to leave Wisconsin despite a job offer from Fickell. He is currently an analyst on Illinois’ Bret Bielema’s staff.
Due to hip surgery, Ezoic Leonhard declined another sideline coaching position this year. However, he could be a hot name on several recruiting lists in 2024. According to Jim Polzin of The Wisconsin State Journal, he should be back on LaFleur’s list:
“Despite turning down the Packers in 2021, Wisconsin Badgers icon Jim Leonhard is hanging around Cross Plains and should be on LaFleur’s list of candidates.” That, however, is a solution for after the season, not now.”
Many Packers fans were irritated when Leonhard turned down the position the first time. Perhaps he won’t turn it down if he makes the finalist list again and therefore mends some ties with fans.
Of course, Leonhard would not take the position because of his support base. Until Chris McIntosh announced the surprising Fickell hire, the Wisconsin Badgers head coaching position was assumed to be his. Leonhard may be looking at any and all alternatives now that his desired job is out of reach.
As Leonhard will certainly be considering many openings, the Packers should consider multiple options as well. LaFleur has just been the Packers’ head coach for five years, and he is on the verge of hiring his third defensive coordinator.
The next hire must be a home run. LaFleur’s recruiting habits are already being called into question. If he gets this one incorrect, he might lose his job.
