Packers fans react with relief after Joe Barry firing signals much-needed change
Nobody wishes for someone to lose their job, but the NFL is a tough business, and there is no denying the Green Bay Packers needed a change on defense.
And they've done it. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Packers have fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
Green Bay's defense battled over the final four games. Joe Barry played with more aggressiveness, but ultimately, it wasn't enough to save his job. Matt LaFleur has made a much-needed change. Barry's unit has shown flashes of dominant play over the past three seasons, but they have disappointed too often.
LaFleur's offense has been fantastic for most of his tenure. Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back MVPs, and Jordan Love enjoyed a breakout first season as the Packers' quarterback. But the defense has lacked consistency.
The pressure is on LaFleur to get his next hire right. He picked Barry after firing Mike Pettine in 2021. It was the wrong choice. He must now get it right.
Packers fans have been reacting to the decision to fire Barry on social media.
Packers fans react on social media to Joe Barry firing
It was the right time. Barry was always popular with the Packers players, and it's never fun to see someone lose their job. But he wasn't getting the most out of this defense, and LaFleur had to make a tough call.
Packers fans knew it was time to make a switch at defensive coordinator.
don’t think there was ever any question about joe barry the person. super nice guy — his peers loved him, the players loved him, he was always great and very informative in his press conferences. he just isn’t been the man for the job and that’s been apparent for two years now
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) January 24, 2024
In the Joe Barry era, the #Packers defense was
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) January 24, 2024
24th in EPA/play
30th in Success Rate
17th in EPA/Dropback
31st in EPA/Rush
This is just not a hard one to figure out.
People loved Joe Barry the guy. Players, coaches, even their families. But it wasn't working out.
Sincerely best of luck to Joe Barry moving forward. Legit seems like one of the nicest dudes in coaching and should be one of the best linebackers coaches on the market. But it was time. The Packers will have plenty of amazing candidates to choose from. Huge move for Green Bay. https://t.co/e0Sijwk743
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) January 24, 2024
"Matt, it's not cool to celebrate a man losing his job. What if people did that to you?"
— My name's Matt but you can call me Matub (@CallMeMatub) January 24, 2024
Me, who just lost his job watching Joe Barry lose his job: https://t.co/lKUUFP3lyF pic.twitter.com/6TFKeCahQp
Packers fans:
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) January 24, 2024
You really shouldn't celebrate Joe Barry losing his job
Also Packers fans:
pic.twitter.com/KXk1MxMwkF
The pressure is now on Matt LaFleur to find the right replacement. He hired Barry in 2021 after moving on from Mike Pettine, but it didn't work out. He must now find the best coordinator to take this defense to another level in 2024.
Green Bay's offense hit an elite level in the second half of the season, but the defense consistently let the team down, especially in losses to the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Packers then needed 33 points to get past the Carolina Panthers.
The question now? Who comes in? If LaFleur gets it right, it will go a long way to making Green Bay contenders in the NFC next season.
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