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.
Brandon Staley
Current job: Free agent
Brandon Staley is the most experienced coach the Packers have interviewed. He spent a year as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator in 2020, leading them to No. 1 in the NFL. His success with the Rams earned him the Los Angeles Chargers' head coach job.
Things didn't work out for Staley with the Chargers, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport notes there is "considerable interest" from teams needing a defensive coordinator. That includes a potential return to the Rams.
Staley would bring some familiarity to Green Bay, as he runs a similar scheme to Joe Barry's. The question is whether that's what LaFleur wants.
Ejiro Evero
Current job: Panthers defensive coordinator
The Packers had a chance to hire Ejiro Evero in 2021, but LaFleur instead went with Barry. Evero is currently the Carolina Panthers' defensive coordinator but has interviewed for head coach jobs this offseason.
It's unlikely Evero will be available for the Packers to hire him. It could happen if he doesn't take a head coach job and the Panthers allow him to interview elsewhere, but that's unlikely. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Evero would be "near or at the top" of the Packers' list should he become available.
Evero has spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. Despite those teams going a combined 7-27 during his time with them, his defenses ranked Nos. 4 and 8, respectively.
Dennard Wilson
Current job: Ravens defensive backs coach
The Packers have shown interest in two members of Mike Macdonald's defensive staff in Baltimore. And it's understandable. The Ravens ranked sixth in total yards, first in scoring, first in sacks, and first in takeaways.
Defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson will interview with the Packers. He helped safety Kyle Hamilton reach an All-Pro level in his second season. Wilson has risen through the coaching ranks while working with some of the best defensive minds in the game. He deserves an opportunity to become a defensive coordinator, and Wilson may get that chance in Green Bay.
Zach Orr
Current job: Ravens inside linebackers coach
Zach Orr is another member of the Ravens' coaching staff set to interview with the Packers. Orr coaches the inside linebackers in Baltimore—Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen were All-Pros this season.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted that Orr is a "close lieutenant" of Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who could land a head coach job this offseason.
Orr is a former NFL linebacker. Imagine how he could help Quay Walker reach his potential. Orr is another young, talented defensive coach who has quickly risen through the ranks. It's only a matter of time before he gets a defensive coordinator job.
Aden Durde
Current job: Cowboys defensive line coach
Matt LaFleur has a lot of respect for Dan Quinn. He was part of Quinn's coaching staff in Atlanta. It's no surprise, then, that LaFleur wanted to interview one of Quinn's defensive coaches. Aden Durde is the Cowboys' defensive line coach. He was part of Quinn's staff in Atlanta and reunited with him in Dallas.
Durde has interviewed with three teams, including the Packers. He is a highly-rated coach and is on track to become a defensive coordinator in the near future.
Jim Leonhard
Current job: Illinois senior football analyst
There haven't been any reports of the Packers reigniting their interest in Jim Leonhard. LaFleur offered Leonhard the job in 2021 but was rejected. Leonhard led a dominant defense in Wisconsin but took a year away from coaching last season. If LaFleur is considering interviewing Leonhard again, he has kept things quiet.
Chris Harris
Current job: Titans defensive pass game coordinator/cornerbacks coach
Another coach LaFleur interviewed three years ago was Chris Harris. At the time, he was the Washington Commanders' defensive backs coach. He became the Titans' defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach this season.
LaFleur previously had interest in Harris before he hired Barry, so there's a chance he could interview him again.