Jan. 17, 2026, 7:14 p.m. CT

The writing is on the wall for Jeff Hafley and the Green Bay Packers. As of Saturday night, Hafley is considered a front runner for the Miami Dolphins head coaching job, and he’s expected to get a second interview for several other openings, including the one in Tennessee. He’s interviewed for six openings. He’s in demand. He’s likely on the way out. Matt LaFleur has long expected Hafley to get one of the open head coaching jobs, so the Packers will likely be ready at a moment’s notice to replace their defensive coordinator ahead of the 2026 season.

Who could be on LaFleur’s short list of replacement defensive coordinators? This will be a coveted position given the presence of Micah Parsons and the Packers’ expected place as a contender entering 2026.

Some possible candidates for the Packers at defensive coordinator:

Packers defensive line coach/run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington: Came to Green Bay in 2025 after spending time under Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo in New England. Called plays as defensive coordinator for the Patriots in 2024. Cowboys and Jets among teams interested in Covington as defensive coordinator this cycle.

Packers pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley: Long-time collegiate and pro defensive backs coach who came to Green Bay on Hafley’s first staff after spending one year as the Chargers defensive coordinator in 2023. Helped produce All-Pro seasons from Xavier McKinney and develop recent draft picks Evan Williams and Javon Bullard.

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Former Falcons coach Raheem Morris: Close friend of Matt LaFleur with extensive coaching experience on both sides of the football, with a specialty on defense. Previously a head coach in Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Spent three years as the defensive coordinator for Sean McVay in Los Angeles.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores: Taking head coaching interviews and could easily land a top job. His terrorizing scheme would be perfect in Green Bay. Maximizes disruption with blitzes and coverage disguise. Stealing him away from Minnesota would be an added bonus. His contract is expired.

Former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon: Spent two years as the defensive coordinator of the Eagles before getting the Cardinals coaching job. Went to the Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2022 but finished 15-36 as Cardinals coach.

Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson: Long-time defensive backs coach who was interviewed by the Packers in 2024. Coached top-performing secondary units in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore before landing Titans defensive coordinator job. Could be available with Titans searching for a new head coach.

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr: Another young, ascending coach interviewed by the Packers during the 2024 cycle. Was elevated to defensive coordinator after Mike MacDonald departed for Seattle. Could be available with the Ravens moving on from John Harbaugh and transitioning leadership.

Broncos pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard: Turned down the Packers in 2021 to stay in Madison. Coordinated Badgers defense for six highly successful seasons. Spent the last two seasons working under Sean Payton and Vance Joseph in Denver.

Eagles pass game coordinator Christian Parker: Rising star who spent two seasons as a quality control assistant under Mike Pettine in Green Bay. Coached Broncos defensive backs for three seasons and spent the last two as the pass game coordinator in Philadelphia. Likely ready for a defensive coordinator opportunity.

Bears defensive backs coach Al Harris: Former Packers cornerback and 15-year NFL veteran who spent six seasons as an assistant in Kansas City and five seasons as an assistant in Dallas before getting the most out of Chicago’s defensive backs in 2025.

Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis: Minneapolis native who spent the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator under Jonathan Gannon. Still only 32 years old. Former assistant in Minnesota and Philadelphia. Still considered an ascending coach despite Arizona’s issues.

Rams pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant: Former Badger joined LaFleur’s staff as an offensive consultant in 2022. Spent the last three seasons with Sean McVay in Los Angeles, including the last two as assistant head coach.

Panthers pass game coordinator Jonathan Cooley: Worked under Brandon Staley and Raheem Morris in Los Angeles before joining Ejiro Evero in Carolina. Helped develop an excellent group of defensive backs with the Panthers. Evero is a LaFleur favorite, and Cooley is from a scheme tree LaFleur prefers.

Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich: Long-time defensive coach who worked with LaFleur in Atlanta. Was the defensive coordinator in both New York (under Robert Saleh) and in Atlanta (under Raheem Morris) — a lot of connections for LaFleur. Went 3-9 as the Jets interim coach in 2024.

Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann: The 35-year-old rose quickly through the ranks at Alabama under Nick Saban and then followed Kirby Smart to Georgia, where he coached linebackers and eventually was elevated to defensive coordinator. Has interviewed for NFL jobs in the past. Packers are familiar with Georgia prospects and will know Schumann well.

Rams defensive line coach/run game coordinator Giff Smith: Long-time defensive line coach who was the interim coach of the Chargers for three games in 2023 (0-3). Spent the last two seasons as Sean McVay’s defensive line coach and run game coordinator, helping develop several young stars.

49ers assistant head coach of defense Gus Bradley: Former defensive coordinator of the Seahawks, Chargers, Raiders and Colts and former coach of the Jaguars. Spent the 2025 season working under Robert Saleh in San Francisco.

Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham: Former linebackers coach and run game coordinator under Mike Pettine in Green Bay in 2018. Has since coordinated defenses in Miami, New York and Las Vegas since leaving the Packers.

Former Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.: Former Packers defensive assistant who coordinated the pass game and coached defensive backs at three different spots (Cleveland, Atlanta, Dallas) before running Dan Quinn’s defense in Washington. Quinn took back defensive playcalling from Whitt during the 2025 season.

Former Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale: LaFleur was highly complimentary of the veteran coach before a 2023 meeting. Veteran coordinator who ran aggressive defenses in Denver, Baltimore and New York