The Green Bay Packers continue their search for a replacement for defensive coordinator Joe Barry this week. After a short playoff run, the Packers have now requested interviews with some of the league’s top assistant coaches. That group includes Baltimore Ravens tight ends Zach Orr and Dennard Wilson.Orr, the Ravens’ inside linebackers coach, played in Baltimore from 2014 to 2016 after a standout career at North Texas.
He decided to enter the coaching ranks after a back injury cut short his playing career just one year after earning second-team All-Pro honors. He coached most of his career under John Harbaugh, first as an analyst and then as the linebackers coach, but also coached the Jacksonville Jaguars linebackers under Urban Meyer for one season in 2021. Former Maryland cornerback and safety Dennard Wilson played in the NFL before starting his postseason career as a scout with the Chicago Bears in 2008.
He turned to coaching in 2012 and has spent the last 12 years in the NFL. He had several stops as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator with the Rams, Jets, Eagles and Ravens. He was with the Eagles for the 2022 Super Bowl game before joining the Ravens this year. Ravens defensive coordinator Mike McDonald led Baltimore’s defense in points allowed per game this season, making him and his assistants among the most sought after coaches this hiring cycle.Â
The Packers parted ways with DC Joe BarryThe Green Bay Packers unexpectedly made it to the NFC divisional round, but now they are making some changes to their coaching staff. Despite the Packers defense being terrible in the playoffs, Green Bay decided to part ways with defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Barry received a lot of criticism during the season.
Joe Barry, 53, was a defensive coordinator in the NFL for seven seasons and previously spent two years with the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders before joining the Packers in 2021.Berry’s defense has ranked 20th or lower in Defensive Adjusted Average (DVOA) every season.
The Packers finished the season ranked 27th. By traditional metrics, Green Bay ranks 17th in yards per game (335.1) and 10th in points per game (20.6). Packers head coach Matt LaFleur takes on his third defensive coordinator role in five years as team captain.
