7 defensive coordinators Packers must hire after firing Joe Barry

After three seasons, the Green Bay Packers have parted ways with defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Despite his defense improving during the playoffs, head coach Matt LaFleur decided a change was necessary. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the news on Wednesday.

Green Bay has the potential to enter 2024 with a championship-level defense. The defensive front, featuring stars like Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark and talented young players like Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, and Karl Brooks, creates problems for opposing offensive lines.

With an offseason to upgrade the secondary, the Packers can take a significant step forward defensively next year. But LaFleur must make the correct call on which defensive coordinator candidate to hire.

Who could he turn to?

Wink Martindale

One of the most experienced candidates is Don "Wink" Martindale, who recently mutually parted ways with the New York Giants. LaFleur would completely shift his defensive approach by hiring Martindale, who is a far more aggressive coordinator than Barry.

We would see far less of the soft coverages that have frustrated Packers fans over the past three seasons. Martindale wants to get after quarterbacks. He loves to blitz and send pressure, and the Packers have the talent to make it work.

Martindale had a lot of success during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. He was part of the defensive staff that won Super Bowl XLVII and eventually landed the defensive coordinator job in 2018. Martindale's defense ranked first in the league that season, and they would finish fourth and seventh in the following two years.

The Ravens moved on after a disappointing 2021 season, and Martindale struggled to get much out of the Giants' defenses in recent years.

Martindale would bring experience to Green Bay. He's had previous success as a defensive coordinator, and his system would be completely different from Barry's.