5 defensive coordinators Packers need to hire to replace Joe Barry

5. Eric Washington

Having started his coaching career all the way back in 1997 as an assistant coach with Texas A&M, Eric Washington has been around the game for a while. He enjoyed a lengthy stint with the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2019 where he went from the team's defensive line coach to defensive coordinator, before joining the Buffalo Bills in 2020.

Still currently with Buffalo, Washington is an assistant head coach and continues to coach the Bills' defensive line. One thing he has really been able to do well over the last couple of years in Buffalo is to improve their run defense; something the Packers of course need to work on.

Just last year, Buffalo finished as the league's no. 4 overall run defense, giving up just under 100 yards per game during the regular season. Washington has gotten to work with guys like Gregory Rousseau, Von Miller, Leonard Floyd, Boogie Basham, A.J. Epenesa and more, and he's helped that group continue to stay consistent and deep in talent.

Back in 2021, Washington was part of a defensive staff that saw the Bills finish as the league's top defense overall, allowing just 17.0 points per game. They were also the NFL's top pass defense that season. Washington is a name you will start to see emerge as a defensive coordinator candidate here in the next offseason.