Replacing Jeff Hafley: Which coaches have a path to the Packers' DC job

After a successful two-year stint in Green Bay, Jeff Hafley has taken his talents to South Beach. Now, the Packers must identify his successor.

For the second time since 2024, the Green Bay Packers have to replace a defensive coordinator.

On the previous occasion, the Packers did so by choice, severing ties with Joe Barry and eventually landing on Jeff Hafley to run their defense. That decision proved wise, as Hafley delivered a top-10 defense in his first season and had the unit playing at a high level again in 2025 before Micah Parsons’ ACL tear.

The situation looks a little different this time around. The Miami Dolphins saw enough from Hafley to hire him as their new head coach, a move finalized on Monday. That leaves the Packers without a DC, but they can more seriously consider internal promotions now than they did during the search for Barry’s replacement.

The Leap spoke with league contacts and agents who represent coaches to gauge how the Packers will approach their search and which candidates will appeal to them. Though the job didn’t officially open until earlier this week, the team anticipated Hafley’s departure and began preparations well in advance. Already, some names and trends have emerged in connection with the job.

The selection of coaches below might not feature every DC candidate the Packers consider, and some of those included might not ultimately sit for an interview. Instead, these names surfaced during discussions with sources as potential fits for the job. In approaching the search this way, The Leap aims to provide better insight into Green Bay’s options and process than the unvetted lists that litter the internet.

What’s being said about the Packers’ job