Jan. 26, 2026, 4:11 p.m. CT
The Green Bay Packers are losing defensive backs coach Ryan Downard, who has been in Green Bay since 2018, to Jeff Hafley’s Miami Dolphins, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.
Downard is the first reported Packers assistant coach to leave Green Bay for Hafley’s first staff in Miami. Per Wilson, Downard will be the secondary coach in Miami. Hafley plans to call plays for the Dolphins defense.
Downard first joined the Packers as a defensive quality control assistant under Mike McCarthy in 2018. He was retained by Matt LaFleur and promoted to assistant defensive backs coach in 2019, and he was later promoted to safeties coach in 2022 and defensive backs coach in 2023.
Downard’s departure will open up at least one spot for Matt LaFleur and Jonathan Gannon to fill on the defensive staff entering 2026.
Downard worked under three defensive coordinators in Green Bay: Hafley, Mike Pettine and Joe Barry.
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While with the Packers, Downard coached defensive backs such as Jaire Alexander, Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard and Evan Williams.
Downard, 37, played collegiately at Eastern Michigan. He joined the NFL coaching ranks as an assistant with the Cleveland Browns in 2014.