With Jeff Hafley likely departing, the Green Bay Packers must find a new defensive architect. Discover the realistic candidates who could fill the role.
While the Green Bay Packers are expecting to bring back head coach Matt LaFleur on an extension, it seems more and more likely that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will be taking a head coaching gig elsewhere.
In fact, according to reports, he's the leader in the clubhouse to land with the Miami Dolphins, where former Green Bay vice president of player personnel, Jon-Eric Sullivan, was recently named their next general manager.
"Jeff Hafley has emerged as a front-runner for the Dolphins' head coaching job," Tom Pelissero reported.
He mentioned that nothing is finalized and, in fact, the Dolphins still have some more interviews lined up. It sounds like Hafley really blew the 'Fins' socks off, though.
"I am told Hafley blew everyone away in his initial virtual interview with the Dolphins. He worked with their new GM, Jon-Eric Sullivan, in Green Bay. [He] has head coaching experience at Boston College. At this point, Hafley appears to be the leading candidate in Miami," Pelissero said.
It's also worth mentioning that several other franchises have asked Hafley for a second interview. That list includes the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals. He's also interviewing with the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.
By all accounts, Hafley is going to be gone. At this point, it's just a matter of where he'll end up.
So where do the Packers turn from here? Mike Garafolo said that the Pack won't be caught offguard and they're already looking at new options at defensive coordinator.
Who knows how this will play out, but let's break down a few options from least likely to most likely.
7. Robert Saleh
He's on this list because of his stint with the Packers last season and his friendship with LaFleur, but there's no realistic world in which Saleh comes over to fill Hafley's spot. First, the 49ers wouldn't let him. More realistically, though, he's going to get a head coaching position himself this cycle.
6. Jeff Ulbrich
If you followed Aaron Rodgers' saga with the New York Jets, Jeff Ulbrich will be a familiar name. He was the defensive coordinator with the Jets from 2021 to 2024 and became their interim head coach when Robert Saleh was fired. He was the defensive coordinator last season in Atlanta, and though they fired head coach Raheem Morris, there is word on the street that the Falcons would like to keep Ulbrich around. They already blocked an interview with the Dallas Cowboys, so there's no reason to think they wouldn't do the same for the Packers. He's on this list because he coached with LaFleur in Atlanta when both were under Dan Quinn.
5. Brian Flores
It would be nice to dream, because Brian Flores is arguably the best defensive coordinator in the league right now, and he'd have a field day scheming up things for Micach Parsons and Edgerrin Cooper. He's not under contract anymore with the Vikings, but would he go in-division for a lateral move if he can potentially land a head coaching gig somewhere else?
4. Jim Leonhard
Jim Leonhard was born in Wisconsin. He played college football at Wisconsin, and he coached at Wisconsin. He's currently the assistant head coach & defensive pass game coordinator for the Denver Broncos, but if current defensive coordinator Vance Joseph gets another head coaching opportunity, Leonhard is probably Denver's best in-house replacement.
3. Al Harris
Al Harris is a familiar name, right? He was a star cornerback for the Packers from 2003 to 2009 and a two-time Pro Bowler. He's currently the Chicago Bears' Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach, and the Bears are extremely opportunistic in their secondary. Bonus point: The Bears couldn't block him from taking a promotion.
2. DeMarcus Covington
DeMarcus Covington joined Green Bay for the 2025 season after a stint as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots in 2024.
Covington was the defensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Packers this past season, and he's a natural in-house option for the Packers to go with, considering his previous experience. He is getting courted by the Dallas Cowboys right now, so if the Packers want to go in his direction, they better make up their minds quickly.
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images. Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images1. Raheem Morris
Raheem Morris has never really made it as a head coach in the NFL, but he is considered a great defensive coordinator. He won a Super Bowl as a defensive quality control coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, and he worked his way up to be the head coach in Tampa. He also won a Super Bowl as the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. The Falcons fired him after just one season, but again, he's not a good coach. He's a strong defensive coordinator, though, and he and LaFleur did work together in Washington and Atlanta.