People talk about the quarterback divide between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers all the time. It’s true. When you throw Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers against the assortment of names the Bears have marched out there for the past 30 years, it’s pretty easy to win games. However, it doesn’t stop there. Green Bay has also enjoyed a significant edge in coaching. Mike Holmgren has a case for the Hall of Fame. Mike McCarthy has been highly successful for two different teams, including Green Bay. Matt Lafleur has one losing season since 2019. Dealing with that is a nightmare.
Thankfully, it sounds like the Packers are about to take a significant hit this coming offseason. One of their bright spots the past two years has been Jeff Hafley. Since arriving as defensive coordinator, he has turned the Packers into a top-10 unit. Injuries have weakened them significantly this year, but they’re still credible because of Hafley’s crafty schemes. Unfortunately, this comes with a price. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the coach is receiving a lot of interest on the upcoming head coaching circuit.
It’s hot enough that people would be shocked if somebody did not hire him.
There are several options here. The field is as wide open as I can remember. It’s missing the proverbial golden goose, eliciting several different answers from industry sources over the past few weeks. Former or recently fired head coaches could be happy with this cycle, and interview quality will absolutely matter. But I’ll go with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. He’s part of the cluster of strong defensive-minded candidates this cycle. He seems to have some traction in New York, too. I’ve heard his name linked to the Giants job a few times in my calls over the past week, and I expect him to be on their list. Hafley is also a geographical fit as a Montvale, New Jersey, native.
The Chicago Bears are aware of the importance of Hafley.
He is one of the few defensive minds in the NFL who has managed to give Ben Johnson a legitimate challenge. The Bears’ head coach has gone against him four times since the start of the 2024 season. His offense scored more than 24 points only once. That may not sound like an accomplishment, but it certainly is, given Johnson’s reputation. Replacing somebody like that is extremely difficult. Green Bay risks downgrading at a crucial coaching position right when their Super Bowl window is supposed to be open.
There is no doubt this outcome benefits the Chicago Bears. If the Packers lose Hafley and end up replacing him with somebody less capable of playing the chess match, Johnson will take advantage. This team has almost never had a true advantage on the coaching front in the division, save for brief instances in the mid-2000s and mid-1980s. Hafley is one of the reasons Green Bay is in the playoffs this year. Losing him threatens to push them into territory they don’t want to be in.
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