It's time for the Green Bay Packers to start calling defensive coordinator candidates.
Under an hour after reports emerged that the Packers plan to extend Matt LaFleur's contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter dropped a significant update on Jeff Hafley's future with the team.
Per Schefter, Hafley has landed a second interview with the Miami Dolphins. He likely won't be the only candidate, but it now feels inevitable that his future is in Miami, especially with his connection to new Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan, who spent the past two decades in Green Bay.
Jeff Hafley's inevitable Packers exit is now closer than ever with Dolphins moving in
LaFleur said last week that he anticipates Hafley landing a head coach job. It's no surprise that Hafley has received so much interest from around the league, especially from Miami, where he would reunite with Sullivan.
Hafley undoubtedly impressed during his round of interviews across the league. Packers fans know this already. Hafley is so passionate about the game, and he brings that energy to every press conference.
"I fully anticipate Hafley's going to do a great job on the interview and I fully anticipate him getting one of these," LaFleur said during his end-of-season press conference last week.
Unsurprisingly, it would seem he's in pole position for the Dolphins job.
There will be other candidates receiving second interviews, of course, and Hafley may get a second chance to meet with other teams, but the fit in Miami is perfect.
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The Dolphins' defense needs significant upgrades in the secondary (sound familiar?), but the building blocks are there in the front seven. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks earned first-team All-Pro honors this season, and Hafley could get the best out of first-round pass-rusher Chop Robinson.
LaFleur will need to dust off his list of potential defensive coordinator candidates.
That could include an in-house promotion. Defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington has received defensive coordinator interviews in this coaching cycle, so he would likely be a candidate for the Packers' job. Passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley is another name to watch.
If the Packers consider outside candidates, perhaps they could swing big for Raheem Morris or Brian Flores.
LaFleur worked with Morris in Atlanta. Like Hafley, he would bring head coach experience to the role. So, too, would Flores, who is also interviewing for head coach jobs. Landing Flores would be the dream move, adding one of the best defensive coaches in the league to the staff while also stealing him from the Minnesota Vikings.
Hafley isn't gone yet, but the writing is on the wall. It feels like a matter of time before he becomes Mike McDaniel's replacement in Miami.