The X 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 kind of mindset in the team’s next defensive coordinator.
LaFleur, who decided to step down from Mike Pettine after his contract expired, said he wanted “a new leadership” in defense in 2021. And while he did not go into details, he said he had a “clear vision.” the candidate he is looking for.
“I think if you look at the wonderful defenses around the league, there’s a certain mentality that comes with that,” LaFleur said. “And it’s not necessarily what you call, it’s the way you play every call. I think there are some areas where we can continue to educate our players and be wonderful in these situations, so if it’s a third down and short, don’t play away. You don’t want to give up any gifts. You want to make people gain every inch of grass. ”
LaFleur said he wanted his defense to “swarm” and “give a lot of energy and effort.”
Pettine’s defense, although improved in preventing big games in 2020, has often played soft covers and lacked aggression in certain situations. At various times of the season, LaFleur publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the way the defense worked in different situations.
The Packers defense is individually talented, with differential players at edge rusher (Za’Darius Smith), corner defender (Jaire Alexander), inside defensive line (Kenny Clark) and safety (Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage), but the talent collection did not always produced results that mirror the players.
LaFleur hopes a more aggressive mindset is the key to unlocking the group’s full potential.
Conformable Rob Demovsky on ESPNThe Packers interviewed nine different candidates, including an internal candidate: Packers defensive back Jerry Gray, Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Chargers game coordinator Joe Barry, Saints defensive line / assistant head coach Ryan Nielson, Browns defensive line coach Chris Kiffin, Rams safety coach Ejiro Evero, Eagles defensive back Matt Burke, Washington defensive back Chris Harris and Falcons assistant Bob Sutton.