The Green Bay Packers entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations-and understandably so. They pushed their chips to the center of the table, making a blockbuster move to bring in Micah Parsons as the final piece of a defense they believed could carry them deep into the postseason.
But football rarely sticks to the script. Instead of a deep playoff run, the season ended with disappointment, and now the team faces two major challenges: Parsons is recovering from ACL surgery, and the defensive coordinator seat is once again vacant after Jeff Hafley’s departure.
The good news? Green Bay’s defensive coordinator job is one of the most attractive openings in the league right now. According to league insiders, the Packers are already deep into evaluating several high-profile candidates-and they’re not short on intriguing options.
Two names immediately jump out: Jonathan Gannon and Raheem Morris.
Gannon, who recently interviewed with the Packers, is looking to bounce back after a short-lived stint as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. While things didn’t pan out in the desert, it’s worth remembering how highly regarded he was as a defensive coordinator during his time in Philadelphia. His Eagles defense helped power a Super Bowl run, and his aggressive, modern approach could be a strong match for a Green Bay unit built around speed and versatility.
Then there’s Raheem Morris. While he hasn’t yet interviewed with the Packers, the connection is there.
Morris and head coach Matt LaFleur go way back-they both worked under Mike Shanahan in Washington during the 2012-13 seasons. That shared history could make Morris a natural fit in Green Bay’s system and culture.
If he doesn’t land the head coaching job in Arizona, Morris will be one of the most coveted coordinator candidates on the market.
Both coaches would likely relish the opportunity to work alongside LaFleur and, more importantly, to coach a generational talent like Parsons. Even as he rehabs from ACL surgery, Parsons remains a game-changer-someone you can build a defense around. That kind of player doesn’t just attract attention; he helps define a coordinator’s legacy.
But Gannon and Morris aren’t the only names in the mix.
Keep an eye on Jim Leonhard, currently the Denver Broncos’ defensive pass-game coordinator. Leonhard is a familiar name in Wisconsin football circles.
He starred as a player and later coached at the University of Wisconsin, and he was in the running for this very job two years ago. His ties to the region and his deep understanding of modern defensive schemes make him a compelling candidate-especially for a team looking to blend youth, speed, and discipline on that side of the ball.
With multiple high-caliber options on the table, the Packers are in a strong position to make a hire that could reshape the identity of their defense for years to come. Whether it’s a proven play-caller like Gannon, a culture fit like Morris, or a rising tactician like Leonhard, the Packers have a real opportunity to land a difference-maker.
And for fans in Green Bay-and for players like Parsons-the anticipation is building. The next defensive coordinator won’t just be calling plays. They’ll be tasked with unlocking the full potential of a unit that still believes it can be one of the NFL’s best.