Green Bay Packers: Two defensive assistant coaches let go, per report
Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has made two more coaching changes.
First McCarthy moved on from defensive coordinator Dom Capers. He’s also let go inside linebackers coach Scott McCurley and defensive line coach Mike Trgovac, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
McCarthy doesn’t often make wholesale changes to his coaching staff. He’s been loyal to his assistants in the past, but after another defensive failure in 2017, McCarthy has made a few changes.
He’s now let go three defensive coaches as of Monday. It remains to be seen whether he’ll make any other changes.
Despite the Packers focusing many of their early-round draft picks on defense for a number of years, we haven’t seen many improvements on this side of the ball. Like last season, the unit couldn’t consistently rush the passer, while the secondary also struggled.
Green Bay finished 2017 ranked No. 22 in total defense. Its No. 23-ranked pass defense was an improvement on the No. 31 ranking it finished with last year, but it’s still far from good enough.
The run defense slipped from No. 8 in 2016 to No. 17 this year.
Who will McCarthy bring in to fill these roles? According to ESPN’s Jason Wilde, he may promote someone already on his staff.
One #NFL source says #Packers coach Mike McCarthy will consider in-house candidates among those he might hire as defensive coordinator. McCarthy should have plenty of options.
— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) January 1, 2018
That would be a classic McCarthy move, but not necessarily the right one.
If Chicago’s Vic Fangio becomes available, he would be the ideal candidate to replace Capers.
Fangio’s status remains up in the air. The Bears are searching for a new head coach after firing John Fox on Monday. Fangio is a candidate to take the Bears’ job, but could also move on to another team.
The Packers might also have to replace assistant head coach and linebackers coach Winston Moss, who has received interest from the Lions.
Add another name to the #Lions head coaching search. I'm told they put in a request to interview longtime #Packers assistant Winston Moss.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 1, 2018
Detroit fired head coach Jim Caldwell on Monday after failing to reach the playoffs.