Even though the Super Bowl has yet to be played, the NFL offseason is in full swing. While not a lot of player news has happened, coaches are definitely on the move. Multiple teams have made big hires and are now working on filling out their staffs. Former Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers is one of those coaches on the move.
Reunion: The #Panthers are hiring Dom Capers as their new senior defensive assistant — as he returns to Carolina where he was once the franchise’s first head coach. He’s close with new coordinator Ejiro Evero and will serve as a veteran voice as he did last year in Denver.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2023
Dom Capers To Carolina
It is homecoming for Dom Capers. He was the franchise’s first head coach and now he comes over to coach once again. While it is not a head coaching role, Capers follows Ejiro Evero from Denver. Capers assisted Evero last year in Denver and from a defensive standpoint, it went well. The Broncos’ defense was dominant and if their offense was at least mediocre they would have been a surefire playoff team. The Panthers are hiring an all-star staff under Frank Reich.
Time In Green Bay
While Dom Capers suffered a similar fate to many of the Packers’ defensive coordinators, he did see a lot of success in the position. Between September 12, 2010 and January 2011, Capers’ defense finished the regular season ranked 2nd in scoring defense, 5th in total defense, 2nd in interceptions, 2nd in sacks, and 1st in opposing quarterback passer rating. While everyone will remember the greatness of Aaron Rodgers and the offense in the Super Bowl run, it was really the defense that was the star of the team. They had a pick-6 in each of the playoff rounds including the Super Bowl.
The Packers have never been able to recapture that dominant defense. The talent is there but they have not been able to turn that into success. Matt LaFleur elected to stay with Joe Barry for next season. Hopefully he can push all of the right buttons and create a dominant unit.
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