The Xs and Os of a scheme are always important when finding a new coordinator, but Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are also looking for the right type of mentality in the team’s next defensive coordinator.
LaFleur, who decided to move on from Mike Pettine after his contract expired, said he wanted “new leadership” on defense in 2021. And although he didn’t get into specifics, he said he has a “clear vision” of what type of candidate he’s looking for.
“I think if you look at the great defenses around the league, there’s a certain mentality that comes with that,” LaFleur said. “And it’s not necessarily what you’re calling, but how you’re playing every call. I do think that there’s 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, that you’re not playing way off. You don’t want to give up any freebies. You want to make people earn every inch out there on the grass.”
LaFleur said he wants his defense to “swarm” and “give great energy and effort.”
Pettine’s defense, while improved at preventing big plays in 2020, often played soft coverages and lacked aggressiveness in certain situations. At several points during the season, LaFleur publicly expressed displeasure with how the defense was operating in various situations.
The Packers defense is individually talented, with difference-making players at edge rusher (Za’Darius Smith), cornerback (Jaire Alexander), interior defensive line (Kenny Clark) and safety (Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage), but the collection of talent didn’t always produce outcomes mirroring the players.
LaFleur is hoping a more aggressive mentality is the key to unlocking the group’s full potential.
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers have interviewed nine different candidates, including one internal candidate: Packers defensive backs coach Jerry Gray, Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Chargers passing game coordinator Joe Barry, Saints defensive line/assistant head coach Ryan Nielson, Browns defensive line coach Chris Kiffin, Rams safeties coach Ejiro Evero, Eagles defensive line coach Matt Burke, Washington defensive backs coach Chris Harris and Falcons assistant Bob Sutton.
