Packers Move on From Embattled Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry, per Report

The defensive coordinator will not return to Green Bay for 2024.
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The Green Bay Packers are parting ways with defensive coordinator Joe Barry, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Wednesday.

Barry, who was under contract for one more season, will not return as Green Bay’s defensive play-caller in 2024 after an up-and-down year that saw the 53-year-old coach squirm on the hot seat. 

Following stints as defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, Barry took over the Packers’ defense from Mike Pettine back in 2021. This past season, his unit gave up the 28th-most rushing yards in the league, finishing just 17th in yards allowed and 10th in points allowed.

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry on the sideline during a game.
Joe Barry will not return as Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator in 2024–25 :: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY

Coach Matt LaFleur was notably noncommittal about Joe Barry’s future with the franchise in a 2023 season-ending press conference and said, “I know there’s going to be a lot of long-term, big-picture questions. I’m not there yet. We’re just starting the process.”

In the wake of Barry’s departure, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer offered Tennessee Titans defensive pass-game coordinator Chris Harris and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero as potential replacements.


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Kristen Wong
KRISTEN WONG

Kristen Wong is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. She has been a sports journalist since 2020. Before joining SI in November 2023, Wong covered four NFL teams as an associate editor with the FanSided NFL Network and worked as a staff writer for the brand’s flagship site. Outside of work, she has dreams of running her own sporty dive bar.