When the Packers didn’t renew the contract for much-maligned defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, I figured they’d shoot for a significant upgrade.
Instead, their hire is an un-inspiring one:
https://twitter.com/packers/status/1358868991448670210
Green Bay announced the hiring of Joe Barry as Pettine’s replacement on Monday. And on a surface level, you can understand why. Barry has been coaching in the NFL since 2000, has prior experience as a defensive coordinator at two stops, and held the Assistant Head Coach/LBs Coach title while overseeing a solid Rams defense since 2017.
But there’s one thing that stands out above all on Barry’s rĂ©sumĂ©. One of those defensive coordinator stints came in 2008 while with the 0-16 Detroit Lions. In fact, Barry’s Detroit defenses ranked 32nd in points and yards in 2007 and 2008. And by my count, finishing 32nd in a 32-team league is no dang good.
And it’s not as if those Washington years were all that awe-inspiring. Washington’s football team allowed the fifth most yards in both years, all while simultaneously finishing in the bottom half in points each time. I don’t imagine Packers fans are thrilled with this hire. And to that end, I’m happy about it. Hey, if I can’t have my cake and eat it too, neither can you.
All things considered, this is an underwhelming hire that I hope the Bears can take advantage of next year with a new quarterback in tow.