Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry is aware of his dire situation in Wisconsin with three games to go in the 2023 NFL regular season. The Packers might have a few more games to play this winter in the postseason, but Barry’s defenses in the previous two games have hurt their playoff chances.
Things reportedly got ugly in the Packers locker room after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15. Head coach Matt LaFleur held a meeting with members of the defense to discuss issues with the scheme and staff. Players “dodged” questions about whether Barry’s staff was putting them in a position to succeed.
Joe Barry is afraid the Packers will fire him after the season
Packers beat writers have been vocal this week that Barry is on the hot seat. Barry said during this press conference Thursday he felt this week was hard on him and his family. According to Ryan Wood with USA Today, Barry admitted he’s on the hot seat for the rest of the season:
“Oh, yeah. I read what you guys write. I hear what you guys say. But that’s the great thing about our league, it is the top of the top, the best of the best.”
Joe Barry asked if his back is against the wall these final three games: "Oh, yeah. I read what you guys write. I hear what you guys say. But that's the great thing about our league, it is the top of the top, the best of the best."
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) December 21, 2023
The Packers defense is the worst of the worst right now. The Packers folded against backup quarterback Tommy DeVito on the final drive to lose to the New York Giants in Week 14. They allowed Baker Mayfield a perfect passer rating en route to a 34-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15.
Barry knows the Packers have to reach the playoffs for him to keep his job. There was a stretch this season where the defense was carrying the Packers to wins. But now they’re blowing games and potentially the season.
Barry can’t survive that.
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