Packers: Kris Richard a defensive coordinator candidate

Matt LaFleur’s search to find the Green Bay Packers‘ next defensive coordinator is well underway, and a name to watch is Kris Richard.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers have “reached out” to Richard about the opening. Whether this will lead to an interview is yet unclear, but Richard is on the list of candidates for the job.

Richard was the defensive backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks at the height of their defensive success in 2013 and ’14. Much of that defense’s dominance started with the “Legion of Boom”, who Richard coached.

He would be named Seattle’s defensive coordinator between 2015 and ’17, with the unit ranking second, fifth, and 11th in those seasons.

Richard would later become the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, but Mike McCarthy didn’t bring him back when hired as head coach last year.

Richard is available and clearly has a good track record as a defensive coordinator. With plenty of talent in Green Bay’s defense — including All-Pro Jaire Alexander and rising star Darnell Savage in the secondary — it would be interesting to see how he could get the best out of them.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, other candidates for the job include Los Angeles Chargers defensive passing game coordinator Joe Barry, Washington Football Team defensive backs coach Chris Harris, and Los Angeles Rams safeties coach Ejiro Evero.

It seems clear that LaFleur is in no rush to make a decision and wants to consider many different candidates. Finding the right coordinator to fit his vision for this team who can get the best out of the Packers’ defensive talent will be key.

Importantly, LaFleur gets his choice at defensive coordinator. He retained Mike Pettine after arriving in Green Bay but will now choose a coordinator who can bring the style of defense he wants.

One name to watch is Kris Richard.