The Las Vegas Raiders target Green Bay's DeMarcus Covington, a rising coach who boosted the run defense. Will Vegas poach another Packers assistant?
The Green Bay Packers have suffered a bit of "brain drain" this offseason, with multiple top assistants leaving the green and gold for opportunities elsewhere.
The top of the organization is set. Head coach Matt LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekusnt and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball have all been extended, and the Packers are moving forward with them as the brain trust.
Losing defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to the head coaching gig down with the Miami Dolphins was a tough deflection, though.
Along with Hafley, the Packers have seen linebackers coach Sean Duggan follow him to be Miami's defensive coordinator, assistant special teams coach Byron Storer hired by the Cleveland Browns to be their new special teams coordinator, quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as their new defensvie coordinator, offensive quality control coach Ryan Mahaffey following him to be Philly's new run game coordinator and tight ends coach, and quality control coach Wendel Davis also took a trip down to Miami.
Now, it's being reported that Packers defensive line coach and run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington will interview for the vacant defensive coordinator position with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Covington, 36, has already interviewed with the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys for their new defensive coordinator roles, so there's no guarantee he'll get this job on Klint Kubiak's staff with the Raiders.
He is an intriguing target, though. Before coming to Green Bay last season to work with the defensive line, he spent his eight previous seasons with the New England Patriots (including in 2024 as their defensive coordinator). He was the Patriots' outside linebackers coach in 2019 when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII
As run game coordinator on the defense, he coached a Packers unit that finished 18th in run defense and 12th in rushing yards allowed per carry. He's also credited with the development of players like rookies Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson, as well as Devonte Wyatt.
It will be tough to see him go if he does end up getting the job in Vegas. One of the intriguing things about the staff that new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is building in Green Bay is that is features several very experienced assistants.
Covington is a former defensive coordinator, but so is new secondary coach and passing game coordinator Bobby Babich (Buffalo Bills) and new linebackers coach Sam Siefkes (Virginia Tech).
They'll still be onboard if the Raiders hire Covington, but it would be nice if the Packers could retain him.
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