Just a few days after forcing Brock Purdy into his worst game of the 2023 season, the Green Bay Packers made a long-awaited move.
Following a 24-21 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Packers decided it was time to move on from defensive coordinator Joe Barry. While his defense performed admirably against the Dallas Cowboys and 49ers in the playoffs, communication issues and poor play-calling doomed his future in Green Bay.
“A change in Green Bay: Joe Barry will not return as the #Packers’ defensive coordinator,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
A change in Green Bay: Joe Barry will not return as the #Packers’ defensive coordinator, per sources. pic.twitter.com/XDPyrUC0wC
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 24, 2024
On Tuesday, head coach Matt LaFleur spoke with reporters and suggested he wasn’t quite ready to make a decision on his coaching staff just yet.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of long-term, big-picture questions. I’m not there yet, fellas,” LaFleur said. “We’re just starting the process. I gave everybody off yesterday. I came in yesterday and watched the tape, all three phases, but we’re just getting into the evaluation portion right now. So probably not going to have many answers for you guys. Haven’t met with any of our coaches yet. That’ll start this afternoon. Certainly meet with the coordinators and then go down with all the position coaches.”
Just 24 hours later Barry is out of the job and the Packers will be looking for a new coach to lead their defense.