Plot Thickens for Packers at Defensive Coordinator After Seahawks Hire Macdonald

The Seattle Seahawks have hired Mike Macdonald as their new coach. That decision could impact what’s next for the Green Bay Packers as they replace Joe Barry.

Note: The Packers have a new defensive coordinator.

LaFleur Goes to College to Select Defensive Coordinator

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has been hired to replace Pete Carroll as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. What happens next could have a profound impact on Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur’s search for his next defensive coordinator.

Macdonald was part of a star-studded staff put together by Ravens coach John Harbaugh. Macdonald was one of the top candidates of the head-coaching cycle. All of Macdonald’s key lieutenants – assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, passing game coorindator/secondary coach Chris Hewitt, inside linebackers coach Zach Orr and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson – have interviewed for defensive coordinator openings.

That includes Orr and Wilson by LaFleur.

Presumably, Macdonald landing in Seattle will begin a toppling of dominos that could lead to Green Bay.

Coaches love familiarity. No doubt Weaver, Hewitt, Orr and Wilson would prefer to be the coordinator in Baltimore. The Ravens have reached the playoffs five of the last six seasons. Incredibly, they have finished inside the top 10 in points allowed seven of the last eight years and in the top three in five of the last six seasons. Continue that reign of defensive terror for a season or two, and the Ravens’ new defensive coordinator will be positioned to be a head coach.

Coaches also love relationships. Macdonald is going to need a defensive coordinator in Seattle. No offense to LaFleur, but a familiar face as head coach probably would be more appealing to the likes of Wilson and Orr.

So, if LaFleur is smitten by the way the Ravens have been doing their defensive business, there’s really nothing he can do besides wait and see how everything shakes out. LaFleur’s desire to move with urgency just doesn’t mesh with the reality that the other candidates might have other plans.

According to The Baltimore Sun, Weaver might be the top in-house candidate. ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter mentioned Wilson.

According to ESPN, Orr could be the coordinator in Seattle.

The love for Baltimore’s coaches – and LaFleur’s interest in at least a couple of them – is well-founded. The Ravens this season became the first team in NFL history to finish No. 1 in points allowed, sacks and takeaways. They also were first in passing yards per play and opponent passer rating, second in the red zone and third in yards allowed per play.

The Ravens were dominant on defense all season. In games against the other members of the NFL’s Final Four, Baltimore allowed six points against Detroit, 19 points against San Francisco and 17 points against Kansas City. It also allowed only 19 points against Miami and three points against Seattle. It swept Houston by allowing a total of 19 points in two games. The Ravens allowed less than 300 yards in 10 games and 10 points or less in seven games.

There are other candidates for Green Bay who didn’t spend the year in Baltimore, including Denver Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker, Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde and former Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley.

Green Bay’s opening should be a coveted one following the firing of Joe Barry. The Packers finished 10th in points allowed this season and ninth in total defense in 2021.

With a defensive depth chart filled with first-round picks and an offense operated by Jordan Love, the Packers look like an ascending team after streaking into the playoffs and pushing the NFC-champion 49ers to the limit in a divisional-round matchup.

Here’s What You Need to Know About Defensive Coordinator Candidates