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Rob Demovsky
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Matt LaFleur had a sense this was coming. Micah Parsons, however, was skeptical.
Now, both the coach of the Green Bay Packers and their standout edge rusher must navigate life after Jeff Hafley. The team lost their defensive coordinator on Monday when Hafley accepted his first NFL head coaching position with the Miami Dolphins.
In Miami, Hafley will reunite with former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, who recently took over as the general manager for the Dolphins. Hafley was a sought-after candidate for many NFL head coaching roles, prompting LaFleur to prepare for the likelihood of his exit after just two seasons as Green Bay’s DC.
“I fully anticipate him getting one of these,” LaFleur mentioned last week.
“We’ll ensure a solid plan is in place,” he added.
When Parsons was informed about the potential loss of Hafley, he replied, “Nah, Haf ain’t going nowhere.”
Perhaps Parsons was merely trying to will it into existence.
Shortly after Hafley was hired, Parsons took to social media to congratulate him: “Genuinely happy for haf! Great guy great person! Gonna miss his energy!”
Genuinely happy for haf! Great guy great person! Gonna miss his energy! https://t.co/GjzNPeRYle
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) January 19, 2026
From the moment Parsons landed in Green Bay on Aug. 29, he spoke highly of Hafley, a sentiment that persisted beyond the season.
“I would say his ability to say ‘F it. Let’s go fight. Let’s keep it simple. This is who we are. This is what we do. Let’s make them beat us,'” Parsons explained. “And his creativity. Him wanting to meet more and him challenging me as a player. It was kind of the same thing [Dan Quinn, his former Cowboys DC] did, giving me the freedom to excel as a player.
“He challenges each group uniquely. He encourages [safety Xavier McKinney] to come in from the back end, placing us in the best situations to play well. He has a tailored approach for [linebacker Quay Walker] too. His methods and goals differ for everyone, which is beneficial since not all players are alike.”
Two years ago, LaFleur persuaded Hafley to leave his role as head coach at Boston College after the Packers parted ways with Joe Barry following the 2023 season. Under Hafley, the Packers defense improved from 17th to fifth in overall rankings during his first year, also finishing in the top 10 for run defense and takeaways.
Before Parsons suffered a torn left ACL against the Denver Broncos in Week 15, the Packers were sixth in total yards allowed and eighth against both the run and pass. They fell to 12th overall, 18th against the run, and 11th against the pass by season’s end, culminating in a rough fourth quarter during their wild-card playoff loss to the Bears, where they conceded 25 points.
Still, safety Javon Bullard expressed that losing Hafley would be disappointing.
“Seeing him get this opportunity is bittersweet, especially since he’s such an excellent defensive coordinator,” said Bullard, a second-year player with no experience under any other defensive coordinator in the NFL. “But we want him to succeed, to support his family, and to advance his career. It’s a significant move for him, and we’re proud, but we hope he remains with us.”
LaFleur was not caught off guard by Hafley’s departure, likely having a list of potential candidates ready, with former Falcons coach Raheem Morris being a top choice, according to various league sources. LaFleur and Morris have collaborated previously with both the Commanders and Falcons.
The two have maintained a close relationship, and during the NFL’s annual meetings last year, LaFleur referred to Morris as “my guy.” This came to light when LaFleur noted that Morris supported the Packers’ initiative to propose banning the tush push.
“That’s my guy,” LaFleur stated then. “My guys are with me.”
LaFleur may also consider candidates he interviewed for the position two years ago, including present NFL defensive coordinators Bobby Babich (Bills), Zach Orr (Ravens), and Dannard Wilson (Titans). All could be available if the new coaching staff with those teams decides not to retain them.
He could also attempt to recruit Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores from Minnesota. Flores is currently not under contract for 2026 and has interviewed for head coaching roles as well as defensive coordinator positions elsewhere. A source mentioned that Flores was considered a front-runner for the Packers’ head coach position in 2019 before LaFleur was hired.
Gus Bradley, the assistant head coach with the 49ers, could also be a candidate, given his connections with 49ers’ DC Robert Saleh, a close friend of LaFleur’s. This past season, Bradley worked alongside Saleh in San Francisco. Matt Eberflus, formerly the Bears’ coach, who was recently dismissed as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, is also available.
If LaFleur opts to promote from within for Hafley’s replacement, likely candidates include defensive line coach/run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington, defensive pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley, and defensive backs coach Ryan Downard. Both Covington and Ansley have served as defensive coordinators before.
Hafley might try to bring some of the Packers’ coaches, from both sides of the ball, along with him. LaFleur was still evaluating his own staff as of Monday evening. A source indicated LaFleur is still “working through” the need for significant changes to his coaching staff after signing a contract extension Saturday night. This could potentially lead to a full overhaul at the coordinator positions if he decides to part ways with Adam Stenavich (offense) and Rich Bisaccia (special teams).
One league source has mentioned that LaFleur’s extension will help in attracting coaching candidates due to the stability at the franchise’s helm.
Regardless of the outcome, the Packers will enter their fourth defensive coordinator since LaFleur ascended to the head coach position.
