Packers will replace Mike Pettine with Joe Barry as defensive coordinator

The Green Bay Packers have a new defensive coordinator in Joe Barry, replacing Mike Pettine.

After a few weeks of uncertainty, the Green Bay Packers have found their suitable replacement for former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. It will be former Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Barry.

By hiring Barry, the Packers are hoping to incorporate what worked for Barry on Sean McVay’s Rams staff. McVay already lost defensive coordinator Brandon Staley to the Los Angeles Chargers’ head-coaching vacancy. Coming in to replace Staley is former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator/interim head coach Raheem Morris. Going after a guy like Barry makes a ton of sense.

Can Joe Barry do for the Packers defense what Mike Pettine never could?

Because defense is not Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s side of the ball, it is paramount to have the right defensive coordinator in place. Pettine was in his third season as the Packers’ defensive coordinator and his third stint in that role. However, the Packers’ defense was their downfall this past postseason. Had that side of the ball been better, Green Bay would be in the Super Bowl.

Interestingly enough, this will be Barry’s third time as a defensive coordinator. He was with the Detroit Lions in that role from 2007-08 and with Washington from 2015-16. Barry had spent the previous four seasons in Los Angeles on McVay’s staff, coaching up the linebackers for Staley last year and for the iconic Wade Phillips before that. Either way, Green Bay has its guy now.

Green Bay is hoping Barry can be the difference-maker to get the Packers back to the Super Bowl.