As the Green Bay Packers continue in their search for a new defensive coordinator, there are a couple of names that have emerged as favorites among fans to take the role. Of course, the position was vacated by Jeff Hafley, who took the head coaching job with the Miami Dolphins. Now, Matt LaFleur is looking for the fourth defensive coordinator of his tenure (he is entering his eighth season with the Packers).
One of the names that has been gaining traction in recent days is that of former Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jim Leonhard. However, the Packers may not speak to him regarding the position until after the AFC Championship Game as Leonhard is the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator for the Denver Broncos.
Another is that of Green Bay’s former two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Al Harris, who is currently the secondary coach for the Chicago Bears.
The Green Bay Packers have competition from the Tennessee Titans for Al Harris
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Packers have interviewed Harris, who played in Green Bay from 2003-2009, for their defensive coordinator position.
After retiring from the NFL in 2010, Harris got his start as a coach as an intern with the Kansas City Chiefs. He remained on staff in Kansas City until 2018 when he was their secondary coach. Following a year at FAU in 2019, Harris returned to the NFL as the secondary coach for Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys. In 2024, McCarthy promoted him to assistant head coach.
Of course, McCarthy was not retained by Dallas after the 2024 season and many of his coaches had to find new jobs. Harris was no exception, and he spent last year on the Bears’ coaching staff under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
Harris’ connection to Green Bay is obvious due to his many years there as a player, and he is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame. Fans also like the fact that his secondaries in Dallas and Chicago each led the NFL in interceptions.
Now, though, Green Bay is seeing new competition for Harris from the Tennessee Titans:
NEW: I’m told the Chicago #Bears defensive backs/pass game coordinator Al Harris is scheduled to interview with the #Titans on Saturday, per league source. @PolymarketBlitz pic.twitter.com/tzuOE0WM5k
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 23, 2026
Tennessee, which had previously been interested in hiring Hafley, quickly snatched up Robert Saleh as their next head coach when the former cancelled his interview with them to accept the Miami job.
Green Bay is not moving quickly to hire their new defensive coordinator as LaFleur wants to interview Leonhard before finalizing his list and moving on. This means that they are in no hurry to snatch Harris away from Chicago either. He could very well be hired by another NFL team before Green Bay makes its final decision.
That being said, the Packers would be a more attractive option to any defensive coordinator candidate than the Titans job because LaFleur is an offensive-minded coach and would give them the chance to call their own plays on defense. Saleh, meanwhile, will be calling the defensive plays in Tennessee.
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