According to a report, the Green Bay Packers may keep their fired coach in 2024.
The unexpected decision to fire defensive coordinator Joe Barry was made by the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday. The defence performed admirably in the last two weeks of the season, but it was not enough to make up for the previous three years of poor play. Now, head coach Matt LaFleur will be looking for his third defensive coordinator in six years.
Leonhard, of course, is a popular name among fans for who the Packers could hire to replace Barry. It is a different situation, after all. Al Harris, a former Packers cornerback, has also been proposed by some supporters as a possible contender. Harris is currently the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
Report Suggests the Green Bay Packers May Keep Joe Barry on Staff
An intriguing piece of information from Adam Schefter was shared by ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky in his insider reporting on Barry’s firing:
“Barry could remain on the Packers’ staff in some capacity — a possibility that is being discussed, sources told ESPN -Adam Schefter.”
Barry’s firing was the right decision. With eight former first-round picks, the defence should have performed better, but it hasn’t. Nonetheless, Barry enjoyed a good reputation among the players, some of whom openly supported his continued employment.
Besides being a defensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2000 and the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions (2007-2008) and Washington Commanders (2015-2016), Barry has been a successful linebackers coach.
Barry might be kept on as a linebackers coach or as a defensive analyst, depending on who the next defensive coordinator is.
These jobs would suit Barry much better than defensive coordinator, and the players may still enjoy having him around