The Green Bay Packers are one of the few remaining teams that does not have a defensive coordinator for next season. After firing Joe Barry after three frustrating seasons, they are doing their due diligence to ensure that they get the right man for the job this time around. As of Tuesday January 30, the Packers have had confirmed interest in and/or interviews with four different coaches.
The first reported interview for the Packers’ defensive coordinator opening belonged to former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley. However, he is not expected to be a leading candidate for the position, and many believe he will return to the Los Angeles Rams where he served as defensive coordinator in 2020.
The Packers have also reportedly asked for permission to interview Buffalo Bills linebacker coach Bobby Babich and Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Aden Durde. So far, it has only been reported that Green Bay has expressed interest in them, not that they have been granted permission to or have conducted interviews with them.
Finally, the Packers have also interviewed Denver Broncos defensive backs coach Christian Parker, who some sources believe has already been offered the job. However, those reports are either not completely accurate or Parker turned the job down because Ian Rapoport just revealed a new candidate for the Packers’ opening.
The Green Bay Packers Are Interviewing Baltimore Ravens Coach Dennard Wilson
According to Ian Rapoport, the Packers are requesting to interview Baltimore Ravens’ defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson:
The #Packers requested to speak with #Ravens secondary coach Dennard Wilson for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. He’s also interviewing with the #Titans today for their DC job, and the #Rams and #Giants have talked to him, as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 30, 2024
As Rapoport notes, Wilson is already interviewing for the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator job and has already spoken to the Los Angeles Rams and New York Giants.
The Rams would be an interesting destination for Wilson because he got his start as a coach with them while they were still in St. Louis. He was with the organization from 2012-2016, first serving as a defensive quality control coach and then as their defensive backs coach.
From 2017-2020, Wilson was with the New York Jets as their cornerbacks coach (he also was their passing game coordinator from 2019-2020). He held these same roles with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2021-2022, helping the team reach the Super Bowl last season.
This past year, Wilson has been the defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens, who boasted the sixth-best defense in the NFL in terms of yards given up per game. They also had the sixth-best passing defense and the top scoring defense, allowing just 16.5 yards per game.
Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl Cornerback Darius Slay Wanted Dennard Wilson as a Defensive Coordinator Years Ago
As mentioned, Wilson spent two seasons with the Eagles, helping elevate their passing defense to one of the best in the NFL. Back in 2021, Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay had the following to say about his position coach:
“He ain’t never steered me wrong, not once yet. Like I said, I’m just surprised he’s been in the game 15 years and not had a DC job because he’s a smart dude. And he played in this league before so I won’t be surprised if sooner or later he has one of them jobs.”
Wilson’s experience as a NFL player was limited to the 2004 Kansas City Chiefs training camp/practice squad, but Slay’s point stands. Wilson’s work with defensive backs is well-known and highly respected throughout the NFL.
He will be a defensive coordinator some day. Will the Packers make that day come sooner rather than later?
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
