8 coaches connected to the Packers' defensive coordinator job

Matt LaFleur will soon decide which candidate to hire to replace Joe Barry as the Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator.

We know it won't be the new Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator, Bobby Babich. Green Bay had requested to interview Babich, but the Bills promoted him into a new role to prevent other teams from hiring him. Babich had coached the linebackers for the past two seasons.

Babich could've been a great fit as Green Bay's defensive coordinator, but LaFleur still has plenty of options.

LaFleur is smartly taking his time to interview several candidates. He needs to get this hire right. The Packers' defense has underachieved in recent years, especially against the run, where they've ranked 26th and 28th in the past two seasons.

Who could LaFleur hire as his next defensive coordinator? Here are eight coaches who have been connected to the job.

Christian Parker

Current job: Broncos defensive backs coach

Christian Parker is among the defensive coordinator candidates the Packers have interviewed. The 32-year-old has received a lot of attention around the league for his work as the Denver Broncos' defensive backs coach.

He is a rising coach and has been impressive in Denver. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph called Parker a "star."

Lombardi Ave's Sayre Bedinger noted that Parker has done an excellent job "developing unheralded guys like slot corner Ja'Quan McMillian, young safety PJ Locke, and other players like Caden Sterns."

Parker was a defensive quality control coach on Matt LaFleur's staff in Green Bay for two years. He could now return as LaFleur's defensive coordinator.