The Xs and Os in a scheme are always important in finding a new coordinator, but Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are also looking for the right kind of mindset in the team’s next defensive coordinator.
LaFleur, who decided to leave Mike Pettine after his contract expired, said he wanted “new leadership” in defense in 2021. And while he didn’t go into details, he said he has a “clear view” of what kind of candidate he is looking for .
“I think if you look at the big defenses around the league, there is a certain mentality that comes with that,” said LaFleur. “And it is not necessarily what you are calling, but how you are playing each call. I think there are some areas where we can continue to educate our players and be great in those situations, so that if it is a short and a low third, you don’t play far. You don’t want to give up any freebies. You want to make people gain every inch on the grass. “
LaFleur said he wants his defense to “swarm” and “give great energy and effort”.
Pettine’s defense, although it improved in preventing big moves in 2020, often made soft covers and lacked aggression in certain situations. At several points during the season, LaFleur publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the defense was operating in various situations.
The Packers defense is individually talented, with players who make a difference in edge rusher (Za’Darius Smith), cornerback (Jaire Alexander), internal defensive line (Kenny Clark) and safety (Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage), but the collection talent has not always produced results that reflect the players.
LaFleur hopes that a more aggressive mindset is the key to unlocking the group’s full potential.
According ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Packers interviewed nine different candidates, including an internal candidate: Jerry Gray, Packers defensive back coach, Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin defensive coordinator, Joe Barry, Chargers pass game coordinator, Saints assistant head coach, Ryan Nielson , Browns defensive line coach, Chris Kiffin, Rams safeties coach, Ejiro Evero, Eagles defensive line coach, Matt Burke, Washington defenders coach, Chris Harris, and Falcons assistant Bob Sutton.