Packers hire new outside linebackers coach, lose Mike Smith

The Green Bay Packers have a new outside linebackers coach.

According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers have hired Jason Rebrovich for the job, replacing Mike Smith. Demovsky reported that Smith “left to pursue other opportunities”.

Rebrovich has plenty of experience having coached in the NFL since 2013.

Most recently, he was the defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a job he held from 2019 to 2020. Rebrovich also spent time in the same job for the Buffalo Bills and was also the Bills’ outside linebackers coach at one point.

Rebrovich has worked with some excellent pass rushers in recent years, so hopefully he can continue the great work Mike Smith did in the job.

Losing Smith is disappointing, of course. The Packers have made some changes to their coaching staff this offseason. Some of that by choice, others due to coaches leaving for new opportunities. Nathaniel Hackett is now head coach of the Denver Broncos while Luke Getsy took the offensive coordinator job for the Chicago Bears.

Smith came to Green Bay in 2019 as part of Mike Pettine’s defensive staff. For Packers fans, perhaps the concern now is that Smith will be reunited with Pettine again, who is now part of the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching staff.

In Green Bay, Smith helped the Packers’ pass rushers. He arrived the same offseason as Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary.

Za’Darius Smith made 26 sacks in two seasons. Preston Smith has 25 sacks in three years. Smith also helped develop first-round pick Gary, who enjoyed a breakout third season in 2021.

Smith will be missed, there’s no doubt about that, but hopefully Jason Rebrovich can pick up where he left off and help the Packers’ pass rushers continue to improve in 2022.

It’s yet another change to the coaching staff that Matt LaFleur has had to make this offseason.