The Green Bay Packers are still in an ongoing saga to bring back head coach, Matt LaFleur, although it seems the sides have turned a corner in negotiations with the Packers now expected to re-sign both LaFleur and general manager, Brian Gutekunst.
However, the team could still end up having to make changes at the top end of their coaching staff.
Defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, has long been one of the top candidates to obtain a head coaching job during this current hiring cycle, and the now nine vacancies across the league only serve to boost the chances of his departure.
And according to NFL Networks’ Tom Pelissero, the chances of him leaving have become ever more likely, as he is now seemingly the “leading candidate” to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
No final decisions made. More interviews are scheduled. Four other teams have requested second interviews with Hafley. But he appears to be the leading candidate in Miami.
Jeff Hafley The ‘Frontrunner’ For Dolphins HC
“Packers DC Jeff Hafley has emerged as a frontrunner for the Dolphins head coaching job, per sources.” Pelissero reported on Saturday morning. “No final decisions made. More interviews are scheduled. Four other teams have requested second interviews with Hafley. But he appears to be the leading candidate in Miami.”
This report was also backed up by the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, who claimed this was what he has heard from his own sources.
“The rep for one of the (at least) 11 people who received interview requests from the Dolphins said his belief is that it’s Green Bay DC Hafley’s job to lose.” Jackson posted on X. “Let me BE CLEAR: This is NOT a report about Hafley’s chances and I have NO idea if he’s the front-runner. It’s still early. Just the impression of one person hoping his client gets another interview.”
Packers May Well Have To Find A New Defensive Coordinator
The good news for the Packers is that the defensive coordinator role with the franchise will be a much-coveted one. The opportunity to work with a Super Bowl-caliber roster and four-time All-Pro defensive end, Micah Parsons, will be hard for any quality DC candidate to pass up.
Defensive line coach, DeMarcus Covington is the most probable internal candidate to be promoted, considering that rumors have come in that defensive backs coach, Al Harris, wants to remain in that role in 2026.
But despite Green Bay’s affinity for bringing in hires up through the ranks, there is a good chance that LaFleur and co. decide to make an external hire for the DC role, just as they have done for their past four hires at the position.
If they do decide to look beyond the scope of the team’s current staff, Raheem Morris – the recently fired Atlanta Falcons head coach – makes about as much sense as anyone.
Morris has already had two shots at head coaching in the NFL, so it is unlikely he will be poached anytime soon, and he spent three years working under LaFleur’s close friend, Sean McVay, with the Rams from 2021-23, where he won a Super Bowl.
But, at this point, anything could happen. And Hafley has not signed on Miami’s dotted line – yet.
Packers In Danger Of Losing ‘Leading’ Head Coaching Candidate