The Green Bay Packers are in the market for a new defensive coordinator, and the search to replace Jeff Hafley-who quickly became a respected voice in the locker room-is already underway. Hafley’s departure isn’t a shock; his impact over the past two seasons made it more a matter of when, not if, another opportunity would come calling. Now, Green Bay finds itself at a crossroads, and one name rising to the top of the list feels like more than just a nostalgic nod-it feels like a natural fit.
Al Harris: A Familiar Face, A Proven Developer
The Packers have interviewed franchise legend Al Harris for the open DC role, and it’s hard to ignore how much sense this move makes. Harris is more than just a former player with a Super Bowl ring-he’s a tone-setter, a culture carrier, and one of the most physical, confident corners to ever wear the green and gold. His return wouldn’t just be a reunion; it would be a strategic step forward for a defense that needs a new identity.
Harris knows what it means to play defense in Green Bay. He understands the weight of expectations, the history, and the kind of edge it takes to win games in January. But more importantly, he brings a track record of developing elite secondary talent that aligns perfectly with the Packers’ current defensive needs.
A Resume Built on Ballhawks
Harris spent five seasons coaching defensive backs in Dallas, where his fingerprints were all over one of the league’s most opportunistic secondaries. Under his guidance, Trevon Diggs transformed into a turnover machine, leading the NFL with 11 interceptions and earning First-Team All-Pro honors. That kind of leap doesn’t happen by accident-it’s the product of coaching that emphasizes instincts, aggression, and playmaking.
DaRon Bland is another name that jumps off the page. In 2023, Bland set an NFL record with five pick-sixes-yes, five. That Cowboys secondary forced 23 turnovers that season, a testament to Harris’ ability to instill a mindset that prioritizes taking the ball away.
Even after Harris moved on to Chicago, the results followed. His Bears unit led the NFL in interceptions in 2025 and helped the team to a league-best +22 turnover differential. That’s not just scheme-it’s a defensive philosophy rooted in defensive backs who know how to flip the field.
Green Bay’s Secondary: A Work in Progress
Let’s be honest-the Packers’ 2025 cornerback group left a lot to be desired. While the safety room is in good shape with Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard forming a solid trio, the cornerback depth is thin and inconsistent. If Green Bay wants to make a leap defensively, it starts with overhauling the secondary.
That’s where Harris fits in. His DB-centric approach aligns with what the Packers need right now: a coordinator who can elevate the play of young corners, create turnover opportunities, and bring a level of swagger back to the back end of the defense. With Hafley’s exit, there’s a clear opportunity to double down on a theme that’s been working-elite secondary play that leads to takeaways.
Timing Is Everything
This offseason’s coaching carousel is one of the busiest in recent memory, with nearly a third of the league searching for new head coaches. That means plenty of candidates are available, and the Packers are doing their due diligence. But with the front office stability reaffirmed-thanks to contract extensions for GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur-the focus has shifted squarely to the defensive side of the ball.
While names like Raheem Morris have been floated as intriguing options, Harris brings something unique to the table. He blends institutional knowledge with modern results. He’s not just a former player with a great highlight reel-he’s a coach who’s consistently developed playmakers and built secondaries that change games.
More Than a Hire-A Statement
Bringing Al Harris back to Green Bay would be more than just filling a vacancy. It would be a statement about the kind of defense the Packers want to build-physical, aggressive, and opportunistic. It would be a nod to the past, yes, but also a bold step toward the future.
Harris knows what it takes to win in Green Bay. He’s lived it. And now, with the right pieces in place and a secondary in need of a spark, the timing couldn’t be better for him to return-not just as a former Packer, but as the architect of a defense that could bring another Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown.