Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys interested in former head coach for defensive coordinator gig

Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Green Bay Packers fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry after the season while Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is favored to become the next Seattle Seahawks head coach. With both storied NFL franchises potentially in the market for a defensive play-caller, there’s one common name to watch.

Coaching searches for a defensive coordinator are nothing new for Green Bay. Barry took over in 2021, replacing Mike Pettine (2018-’20) who stepped in for Dom Capers (2009-’17). While there have been some bright spots from the Packers’ defenses over that span, for the most part, the units have disappointed.

As for Dallas, there’s nothing owner Jerry Jones would love more than to keep Quinn and the team caught somewhat of a break with a majority of the head-coaching vacancies filling quickly. However, the chances of Quinn leaving for Seattle mean Dallas has to think about his potential replacement.

According to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, the Packers have an interest in former Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera for their vacant defensive play-caller position. In addition, the Cowboys are expected to have interest if Quinn departs for Seattle.

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator candidates to replace Joe Barry in 2024

Washington had one of the worst NFL defenses under defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio for the majority of the season. Del Rio was then fired on Nov. 24, 2023, following a blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys. After he was dismissed, Rivera took over as defensive play-caller.

• Washington Commanders defense (with Ron Rivera): 256.4 passing yards per game allowed, 11-2 TD-INT ratio, 2.2 pass TD per game allowed, 19.7 QB rating, 72.6% completion rate, 4.6 yards per carry allowed, 46.9% third-down conversion rate

Things didn’t get much better under Rivera’s watch. Washington still finished the regular season with the league’s worst defense, both struggling to create pressure and giving up the most passing production in the NFL. After being fired, Rivera has made it known he wants to be a defensive coordinator.

In either Green Bay or Dallas, Rivera would have more talent in the secondary than he did in Washington. Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur could view him as an ideal option to add experience to the coaching staff while bringing a defensive pedigree. Given Rivera’s best years as a defensive play-caller occurred more than a decade ago, however, it stands to wonder how successful he would be in that position next season.

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