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Rob Demowski
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Matt LaFleur could see it coming. Micah Parsons Didn’t want to believe it.
Now, both green Bay Packers‘The coaches and their star edge rusher have to figure out life after Jeff Hafley. They lost their defensive coordinator on Monday, when Hafley was hired to replace him. First NFL head coaching job with miami dolphins.
In Miami, Hafley will be reunited with former Packers vice president of player personnel John-Eric Sullivan, who became general manager of the Dolphins less than two weeks ago. Hafley was a candidate for more than half of the head coaching jobs in the NFL, which was why LaFleur began preparing for the inevitability of Hafley’s departure after two seasons as Green Bay’s DC.
“I fully expect they will get one of these,” LaFleur said last week.
“We will make sure we have a good plan,” he said.
When Parsons was presented with the possibility that the Packers might lose Halfley, he said: “No, Halfley is not going anywhere.”
Perhaps Parsons was trying to bring it into existence.
Shortly after hiring Hafley on Monday, Parsons posted a congratulatory social media post: “Really happy for Hafley! Great guy, great guy! Will miss his energy!”
Really happy for half! Great man great man! His energy will be missed! https://t.co/GjzNPeRYle
– Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) 19 January 2026
From the moment Parsons arrived in Green Bay on August 29, he spoke enthusiastically about Hafley, and that did not change in the postseason.
Parsons said, “I would say their ability to say let’s fight. Let’s keep it simple. This is who we are. This is what we do. Let’s let them beat us.” “And his creativity. He wanted to meet more and he was challenging me as a player. It was just kind of the same thing.” [Dan Quinn, his former Cowboys DC] It gave me the green light to become as good a player as I want to be.
“It’s with the other players. I think he approaches each group differently. He challenges.” [safety Xavier McKinney] Coming out on the receiving end, putting us in the best position where they can play good ball. he challenges [linebacker Quay Walker] In a different manner. I think he challenges everyone differently, each player has his own mentality and goals, which is good because not all players are the same.”
LaFleur lured Hafley from the head coaching job at Boston College two years ago after the Packers moved on from Joe Barrie following the 2023 season. In Hafley’s first season the Packers went from 17th overall to fifth in defense. Was also in the top 10 in runs scored and takeaways.
Before Parsons tore his left ACL against denver broncos In Week 15, the Packers ranked sixth in total yards allowed, including eighth against both the run and the pass. They fell to 12th overall, 18th against the run and 11th against the pass – and then suffered a devastating fourth-quarter loss to the Bears in the wild-card playoff, falling by 25 points.
Still, security Javon Bullard Said it would “suck” to lose Hafley.
“Seeing him get opportunities, and hearing those talks, yeah, it sucks because he’s such a good defensive coordinator,” said Bullard, a second-year pro who has no other defensive coordinator in the NFL. “But you want him to be successful, you want him to keep making ends meet, taking care of his family, moving forward in his career. This would be a huge thing for him and we’re excited for him, we’re proud of him, but we’re hopeful he’ll come back.”
According to multiple league sources, at least Hafley losing was not a surprise to LaFleur, who undoubtedly had a ready list of candidates with former Falcons coach Raheem Morris at or near the top of that list. LaFleur and Morris worked closely with both the commanders and the Falcons.
The two have remained close, and at the NFL’s annual meetings last year, LaFleur called Morris “my guy.” This came about because LaFleur was told that Morris had supported the Packers’ proposal to ban the tush push play.
“That’s my boy,” LaFleur said at the time. “My people are with me.”
LaFleur may also consider some of the candidates he interviewed for the job two years ago. This includes current NFL defensive coordinators Bobby Babich (Bills), Zach Orr (Ravens) and Danard Wilson (Titans). Everything could be available if those teams’ new coaches don’t retain them.
LaFleur may also try to lure Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores to Minnesota. Flores is not under contract through 2026 and has interviewed for head coaching jobs and at least one other defensive coordinator position. Before LaFleur got the job, a source said, Flores was one of the front-runners to become the Packers’ head coach in 2019.
49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley could also be on this list, as he is related to 49ers DC Robert Saleh, who is one of LaFleur’s best friends. Bradley spent last season working with Saleh in San Francisco. Former Bears coach Matt Eberflus, who was recently fired as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, is also available.
If LaFleur promotes someone from within to replace Hafley, the most likely candidates would be defensive line coach/run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington, defensive pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley and defensive backs coach Ryan Downard. Both Covington and Ensley have previously been defensive coordinators.
Hafley could try to take some of the Packers’ coaches – on both sides of the ball – with him. LaFleur was still in the evaluation phase of his staff. A source said Monday evening that LaFleur is still working out whether he will make any significant changes to his coaching staff after being hired. contract extensionn Saturday night. If he decides to move on from Adam Stanovich (offense) and Rich Bisaccia (special teams) it could involve a complete change at the coordinator spots.
A league source said the expansion would help LaFleur attract coaching candidates because of the stability at the top.
No matter what happens, the Packers will have their fourth defensive coordinator since LaFleur became coach.
