Controversial: Matt LaFleur faces a critical decision on the new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator.

Matt LaFleur Must Make A Crucial Decision In The Search For A New Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator. Will he make a wise decision?

The 2023 season proved to be an eventful one for Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. The season for LaFleur and the Packers was like riding a roller coaster. It had many ups and downs, but it ended on a positive note. At one point, it appeared that LaFleur was on the hot seat. Then, as rapidly as it might turn, some were discussing LaFleur as a viable coach of the year candidate. Ultimately, despite being eliminated from the playoffs, it may have been his best coaching performance as the Packers’ head coach. However, he will now have to make an important decision. That is who Matt LaFleur plans to employ as the new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator.

Matt LaFleur faces a critical decision on the new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator.

Matt LaFleur finally did what Packers supporters had been asking for: he fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry. The decision was long overdue. The decision to hire Barry to replace former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine looked far-fetched. Unfortunately, it proved to be the case.

During his tenure, general manager Brian Gutekunst has spent a significant amount of draft capital on the Green Bay Packers defense. This season alone, the Packers’ defense included seven former first-round picks. Linebackers De’Vondre Campbell and Preston Smith were also selected in the draft. Both players have fairly hefty salaries. Even with so much money spent on that side of the ball, the outcomes were disappointing.

With how brilliantly the Green Bay Packers offense performed late in the season, it appears that the team is on the verge of great things. That is why the defense needs to start performing better. It was not going to get any better for Barry. LaFleur made the correct decision by showing Barry the door.

Now, LaFleur must make arguably the most important choice for his staff since taking over as head coach of the Packers. He cannot repeat the error he made with Barry. Not with the offensive about to explode in 2024. But can he make the correct decision? His track record gives Packers fans little optimism.

A Checkered Hiring Track Record

Matt LaFleur’s appointment of Barry as the Packers defensive coordinator isn’t his only bad decision. It may have been the most noticeable, but it is not the only one.

During his stint with the Packers, LaFleur has had to hire a special teams coordinator three times. The first came when he decided not to retain Ron Zook, the special teams coordinator under former head coach Mike McCarthy. He replaced Zook with Shawn Mennenga, who had been recommended by Mike Pettine. Despite having no prior relationship with Mennenga and relying purely on Pettine’s recommendation, LaFleur chose Mennenga.

The results were not favorable. After two disappointing seasons on special teams, LaFleur fired Mennenga. When it came time to choose a replacement, LaFleur stuck within the organization, replacing him with special teams assistant Maurice Drayton. Drayton was not just Mennenga’s assistant, but he had also previously helped Zook. Drayton was a member of two mediocre special teams units.

Drayton had one of the worst special teams groups in NFL history during his one season as special teams coordinator for the Packers. A special teams unit, it could be claimed, cost the Packers a chance at the NFC Championship game. The decision to elevate Drayton was one of LaFleur’s biggest failures as a Packers coach.

While it appears that LaFleur has finally made the correct decision by hiring Rich Bisaccia in 2022, he cannot repeat the mistake with the defensive coordinator position. If the Packers are going to be a Super Bowl contender in 2024, he must appoint the appropriate guy to lead the defense.

Other decisions loom.

Finding a new defensive coordinator isn’t LaFleur’s only pressing decision. He will also need to make decisions about the rest of the defensive staff.

In some circumstances, new coordinators are allowed to bring their own personnel. Or, at the very least, a couple of new aides to support them during the changeover. LaFleur has complete control over his workers. That means LaFleur would have to give his new defensive coordinator the authority to fire assistants who had previously served on his staff. Something that LaFleur will undoubtedly find tough to execute.

However, just as with Drayton’s promotion, the present defensive assistants have contributed to an underperforming unit. LaFleur’s staff has included assistants such as defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, inside linebackers coach Kirk Olivadoti, and defensive backs coach Ryan Downard for numerous seasons. Throughout their tenure, all three jobs they have managed have struggled. Jason Rebrovich, the Packers’ pass rush specialty coach, has been with the team for two seasons and, unlike the other three, his area has done better. Greg Williams, the pass game coordinator, joined the staff prior to this season. The extent to which he contributed to the defense’s failings is uncertain.

Rebrovich appears to be the lone goalkeeper among the present defensive assistants. Even knowing this, LaFleur may still be able to keep the staff under control. One of LaFleur’s main flaws as Packers head coach has been his devotion to his staff. But if he wants to enhance his defense, he’ll have to put it aside.

A Long List of Candidates.

With only the Super Bowl remaining to play, Matt LaFleur will have a long list of candidates to select from. As we previously stated, there are several extremely strong prospects to pick from. LaFleur has already started the interview process. According to reports, he and the Packers questioned former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, Buffalo Bills linebackers coach Bobby Babich, and Denver Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker.

Many are expecting that the process of hiring a defensive coordinator would be completed swiftly. But LaFleur and the Packers must take their time and locate the perfect person for the job. Starting quarterback Jordan Love, along with the rest of the offense, has put the Packers back on track. However, if the Packers as a whole want to compete for a Super Bowl, they will need a solid defense. That involves selecting a defensive coordinator who can ensure the defense reaches its full potential.