Packers 2024-25 Season Thread

Budman said:
I know I've said this in other threads throughout this year, and I know ML had been a HC for awhile, but I do believe we are seeing ML grow up before our eyes too. He's done a hellluva coaching job this year and he's still learning, and more importantly, willing to continue to learn.

It was a neat bonding and growing year this year. Each year is different but man, this feels like it's really headed in the right directionfor years to come.
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This year was really his first year of it being his team. Until this year started, Aaron Rodgers had way too much influence over what happened. Things look bright for the future.
 
GBP4EVER said:
I don't think Leonhard is the answer to be truthful. He's just a fan hire.

While not sure who GB will hire. GB needs to find a good DC.
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I thought Leonhard was the guy he wanted who pulled out and then had to go with Barry?
 
TW said:
This could be a pivotal time for the Packers. Getting the right person could put them at the top of the heap next year, with the help of the draft, and possibly some well chose FAs.
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Gonna be a very important hire. Can't wait to see who he gets!
 
GBP4EVER said:
That was what 3-4 years ago? I think right now there can be better choices to be found.
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I don't necessarily disagree, just pointing out that was supposedly MLs choice before Barry. I can't wait to see the new hire!
 
I think there's going to be more thought going into this new hire than most of us imagine. I believe they've already done some massive research into dozens of potential candidates, and are whittling it down to guys that they think are a step ahead of the rest. I think we're going to know who it is before the Super Bowl. I think they want to be up and running immediately.
 
TW said:
I think there's going to be more thought going into this new hire than most of us imagine. I believe they've already done some massive research into dozens of potential candidates, and are whittling it down to guys that they think are a step ahead of the rest. I think we're going to know who it is before the Super Bowl. I think they want to be up and running immediately.
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Totally agree. They've done their research. It's gonna be neat to see how ML handles this hire. Exciting to be a Packers fan these days!
 
TW said:
I think there's going to be more thought going into this new hire than most of us imagine. I believe they've already done some massive research into dozens of potential candidates, and are whittling it down to guys that they think are a step ahead of the rest. I think we're going to know who it is before the Super Bowl. I think they want to be up and running immediately.
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Depends if it's a Ravens coach and they go to the SB GB won't be able to interview them until after the SB.
 
Joe Barry is out as the Packers' defensive coordinator, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, even after his defense held up well enough to help Green Bay advance to the NFC divisional round of the playoffs.

The move, which was first reported Wednesday by NFL Network, came two days after Packers head coach Matt LaFleur declined to comment on Barry's job status and said he was "going to go through the process at my own pace."

Barry still could remain on the Packers' staff in some capacity -- a possibility that is being discussed, sources, told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

LaFleur will be on his third defensive coordinator in six seasons when he hires a replacement for Barry, who had one year left on his contract. Barry had been the Packers' defensive coordinator since replacing Mike Pettine in 2021.

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Barry appeared to be on thin ice as far back as the 2022 season, when the Packers dropped from ninth overall in total defense to 17th. The Packers also finished 17th in total defense this season but climbed into the top 10 in fewest points allowed.

Run defense, however, was one of Green Bay's major issues under Barry. The Packers were ranked 28th against the run in 2023, down from 26th in 2022 after finishing 11th in 2021. They allowed four teams to rush for more than 200 yards against them in 2023.

The breaking point for Barry might have been a Week 15 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Baker Mayfield put together a 381-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 34-20 victory at Lambeau Field.

That loss loss dropped the Packers to 6-8 and dropped them a game out of a tie for the final playoff spot, but LaFleur said at the time that he would not make any defensive coaching changes during the season.

The Packers followed that up with another defensive dud in their Week 16 victory over the lowly Carolina Panthers, who scored a season-high 30 points and racked up 394 yards of total offense.

Barry, however, seemed to have the defense turned around late in the season. Even after the 24-21 playoff loss to the 49ers, LaFleur called the defensive performance "fantastic." In the days after the season, however, LaFleur was less committal, saying the Packers would "kind of go through and figure out how we can be a little bit more consistent."

Before hiring Barry, LaFleur pursued former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, who was believed to be the first choice but opted not to leave his alma mater. Barry and LaFleur worked together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017. It was during Barry's time with the Rams when he worked under Brandon Staley, who ran a version of the Vic Fangio defense. LaFleur hired Barry in part because he wanted to run a similar scheme in Green Bay.

Barry's hire was criticized in large part because of his previous two runs as a defensive coordinator -- with the Detroit Lions (2007-08) and Washington Commanders (2015-16). His defenses in those places ranked between 28th and 32nd in the league based on yards allowed.

Staley, who was fired this season as the Los Angeles Chargers head coach, is not expected to be a leading candidate to replace Barry in Green Bay, according to sources familiar with LaFleur's plans.

Before hiring Barry in 2021, LaFleur also interviewed Ejiro Evero, Chris Harris, Ryan Nielsen, Chris Kiffin, Matt Burke, Bob Sutton and Jerry Gray. It's possible LaFleur could go back to some on that list, although Nielsen was just hired as the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator. Evero, the Panthers defensive coordinator, has interviewed for head coaching jobs this offseason.

Another possible candidate is Rams defensive passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, who joined LaFleur's staff for the second half of the 2022 season after he was let go by the Lions.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has devoted resource after resource to the defensive side of the ball. Seven of his eight first-round draft picks since he took over have been defensive players, with quarterback Jordan Love as the only offensive first-round pick during his tenure.
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