Packers: Another busy day for coaching staff changes

Rounding up the latest Green Bay Packers coaching staff news after another busy day.

The Packers moved one step closer to finding their next offensive coordinator on Friday.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Packers will interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken for the job. At one stage it looked like Monken could have won the head coach job in Green Bay.

Monken could be an excellent hire to work alongside new head coach Matt LaFleur as the Packers look to fix their offense.

Under Monken, the Buccaneers offense ranked third in the NFL this season, and they led the league in passing offense, averaging 320 yards per game.

But Monken isn’t the only candidate. Former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett interviewed for the job on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Defensive moves

But the news doesn’t stop on offense.

The Packers officially confirmed Friday that Mike Pettine will continue as the defensive coordinator. This was the right move. Pettine helped the defense improve in 2018, and with another year for the players to adjust to his scheme, along with more talent added in free agency and the draft, the defense should continue to improve under Pettine.

But defensive passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. won’t be on the staff in 2019. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Friday that Whitt has been fired. This was a somewhat surprising move.

Former Packer Charles Woodson had high praise for Whitt:

The biggest key on defense was keeping Mike Pettine. Not only can he build on this past season, but Pettine also has head coach experience, which could help LaFleur.

Expect the remaining positions on the coaching staff to be filled in the next week.

LaFleur has some big decisions to make. An offense coached by LaFleur and Todd Monken could be a lot of fun.