Amidst the flurry of coaching hires across the league, the Green Bay Packers are bringing in Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington as the team’s new defensive line coach in 2025, per Packers Wire and ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
The Packers are planning to hire former Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington as their new defensive line coach and promote Sean Mannion to quarterbacks coach, sources told ESPN.
Contracts not signed yet but agreements in place. Deals should be finalized soon.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 30, 2025
Covington spent one season as DC in New England, under since-fired head coach Jerod Mayo, but had been with the franchise since 2017, when he began as a coaching assistant to Bill Belichick. After two years, Belichick elevated him to outside linebackers coach and a season later, to the oversee defensive line. Despite his experience, Covington is just 35 years old.
Green Bay Packers Entrust Covington To Elevate a Solid But Underwhelming Group
In Green Bay, Covington will replace Jason Rebrovich, canned two weeks ago after three seasons with the team.
Although Rebrovich has 11 years of NFL coaching experience, the team decided he did not realize the full potential of a defensive line unit that was underwhelming in 2024.
Covington brings with him a championship pedigree as a member of the Patriots’ staff during Super Bowl LIII. Replacing the 46-year-old Rebrovich, perhaps he will provide an energy boost to a group that includes Rashan Gary, Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark, and Lukas Van Ness.
Overall it is a solid unit. Per PFF grades, Gary (36th/211), Wyatt (47th/219) and Clark (85th/219) are all above average at their positions. Rumor has it that the Packers may also fortify the pass rush during the offseason via free agency or trade.
QB Coach Hire Rounds Out Green Bay’s Staff for Next Season
Prior to his coaching career, Covington played wide receiver at Samford. Packers Wire notes that he served as a college coach for five seasons before entering the NFL. In 2015, he manned UT-Martin’s defensive line as well as Eastern Illinois’ the following season, in addition to handling co-coordinator duties for Eastern.
Along with Covington’s hire, LaFleur is promoting offensive assistant coach Sean Mannion to quarterback coach in 2025. Last season was the 32-year-old’s first with the Packers.
After playing the position at Oregon State, Mannion served as a backup QB in six NFL seasons as recently as 2021. He finished his career with 67 completions in 110 attempts, 1 TD, 3 INTS, and a 66.9 passer rating.
Jordan Love has certainly shouldered his share of criticism following Green Bay’s disappointing end to last season; QB coach will be a particularly important role moving forward.
With these hires, the Packers are two steps closer to giving their coaching staff its final shape heading into 2025.
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