USA TODAY Sports
Mike Pettine’s contract was over and the Packers decided not to renew it.
Now coach Matt LaFleur is looking for a new defensive coordinator, saying Green Bay needs to be more consistent in the unit.
But at his season-ending press conference on Monday, LaFleur has credited Pettine for his contributions since he took over as head coach in 2019.
“I am very grateful for what Mike brought to us,” said LaFleur. “Obviously, he was a guy I really leaned on. And whenever you make a decision like that, it’s never easy. It weighs heavily on your heart. As I said, very grateful for everything he brought. Going for two consecutive NFC Championship games, we couldn’t have done it without Mike Pettine. And I felt it was one of those businesses where, again, it’s always a difficult decision, but I just needed some new leadership on that side of the ball. So this is just the direction we decided to go. “
LaFleur is interviewing Chargers pass game coordinator Joe Barry, Washington defense technician Chris Harris and Rams security technician Ejiro Evero. Barry, Evero and LaFleur were all on the same Rams team in 2017. Barry just left the Rams to take over as Chargers in January.