The X’s and O’s of a schedule are always important in finding a new coordinator, but Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are also looking for the right mindset with the team’s next defensive coordinator.
LaFleur, who decided to leave Mike Pettine after his contract expired, said he wanted “ new leadership ” in the defense by 2021. And while he didn’t get into details, he said he has a “clear vision” of what kind of candidate he’s looking for.
“I think when you look at the great defense in the league, there is a certain mentality to that,” said LaFleur. And it is not necessarily what you call, but how you play 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’s a third down and short you don’t play far away. You don’t want to give up freebies. You want people to earn every inch out there on the grass. “
LaFleur said he wants his defenses to ‘swarm’ and ‘give a lot of energy and effort’.
Pettine’s defense, while improved in avoiding big games in 2020, often played soft covers and lacked aggressiveness in certain situations. At various times during the season, LaFleur publicly expressed his displeasure with how the defense operated in different situations.
Packers’ defense is individually talented, with different players at edge rusher (Za’Darius Smith), cornerback (Jaire Alexander), inner defense line (Kenny Clark) and safety (Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage), but gathering talent didn’t always deliver results that reflected the players.
LaFleur hopes that a more aggressive mindset is key to unlocking the group’s full potential.
According to Rob Demovsky from ESPNThe Packers interviewed nine different candidates, including one internal candidate: Packers defensive backs coach Jerry Gray, Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, passing match coordinator Joe Barry of Chargers, Saints defensive line / assistant head coach Ryan Nielson, Brown’s defensive line coach Chris Kiffin, The Rams security coach Ejiro Evero, Eagles defensive line coach Matt Burke, Washington defensive back coach Chris Harris and Falcons assistant Bob Sutton.