4 DC Candidates If Joe Barry Doesn't Improve

I know it's early and that the Packers still have Joe Barry employed, but that doesn't mean that he's not on thin ice with the fans and organization. Many fans were calling to have Barry fired before he would turn around the defense in the later part of the season. Even with that turn around many fans, including myself, are very skeptical of how the defense will perform this upcoming season under Barry’s reign. With all of the young talent on the defense, Joe Barry has no excuse for the defense if they were to underperform. With every talented weapon on the defense and a young, untested quarterback; the Packers will need a great defensive coordinator to help the defense carry the load of this young team. Here are four candidates that would help coach our defense to where they need to be if Joe Barry won’t.

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Dan Quinn (Current Cowboys DC):

The always coveted defensive coordinator stayed loyal to Dallas amidst rumors of him leaving. Most popular for his commanding of the legendary 2012-2014 Legion of Boom and the 2016 Falcons defense, Quinn is a seasoned defensive coordinator with tons of playoff experience. Quinn is no stranger to coaching talented defense and is described as energetic and enthusiastic. Legendary pass rusher Dwight Freeney said back in 2016 that Quinn was “unique” due to the “way he connects with the players”. Quinn has been rumored to leave for a year now, and his experience and innate way of connecting with players will really help the young defensive core mesh and grow as a group if he were to be a future hire.

Steve Wilks (Current 49ers DC):

Wilks was picked up by the 49ers as a defensive coordinator after his 6-6 record as interim head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 2022. This signing is after San Francisco’s old coordinator, DeMeco Ryans, was hired as the Texans head coach. Wilks has been a defensive coordinator for the Browns and head coach with the Cardinals, however he has never had the full reign of a top-10 defense yet. With all of the talent that the 49ers have on defense, we will see how he performs leading them, however Wilks is an outstanding coach. He has an aggressive coaching scheme that blitzes and runs nickel coverage (a more modern approach to today’s offense) that would benefit our young and fast defense. With the reigning #1 defense, it will be interesting to see how he will do at the helm, and Packer fans better watch closely because he just may become the coordinator next season.

Vic Fangio (Current Dolphins DC):

Formerly the Broncos head coach, the Dolphins recently hired Fangio to help bolster their explosive defense. Fangio is on his sixth current defensive coordinator job, and he is most known for commanding the 2011-2014 San Francisco teams, known for their explosive and aggressive playing style. He is also known for his involvement in the Bears 2018 team (their last conference title since 2010). Fangio is one of, if not the most experienced coach in the league and he is typically fielding a top 10 defense when he coaches. It is very simple why we should hire Fangio. He is one of the best coaches at limiting deep-ball/explosive plays, and he always tricks offenses into running. This scheme will not only fit our team, but limiting explosive plays will help out the offense as well as our team as a whole. I can assume that all of us Packer fans can agree that we would like an established coach who commands a defense that limits big plays and can play the run well, (a big weakness of the Packers) which is why the Packers should consider Fangio in the near future; whether that be now or when his time in Miami is up.

Mike Macdonald (Current Ravens DC):

Macdonald was on the Ravens’ coaching staff from 2014 to 2020 before taking a job at Michigan for defensive coordinator. He came back after a one year stint and is now the defensive coordinator for the Ravens. As a coach who has spent time with the Harbaugh brothers, he possesses great knowledge of the game, and a wonderful defensive mind. The ravens have had excellent defenses for nearly two decades, and Macdonald’s experience within the organization had to have rubbed off in a positive way. This is his first year as a pro football defensive coordinator, so there may be some growing pains, however just as fans should do with Wilks, fans should watch Macdonald’s performance as coordinator to gauge whether he would be a great fit for the Packers or not.