The Green Bay Packers are on the hunt to replace fan favorite and locker room leader, Jeff Hafley.
While it’s definitely sad to Hafley go, this is the nature of the business. I don’t think anyone in Packer Nation had any delusions that his outstanding coaching over the past 2 seasons wasn’t going to result in his departure.
With the vetting processing beginning, one name in particular has folks all abuzz.
Packers Hall of Famer, Al Harris.
Packers Interview Al Harris For DC
Reuniting with Al Harris as defensive coordinator feels like one of those moves that just makes sense. Especially at this moment in the franchise’s evolution. It’s time we rescue him from the inferior club south of Lambeau, and let him come home to help bring a Lombardi back to Titletown.
Harris embodies Packers football through and through. A Super Bowl champion, a tone-setter, and one of the toughest corners to ever carry the “G”. This hiring doesn’t just fill a vacancy. Harris understands what a top tier caliber defense looks like in Green Bay. He brings that dawg mentality of being physical, aggressive, and unapologetically confident.
Packers Need Another DB Minded Defensive Coordinator
What makes Harris a compelling hire isn’t just nostalgia, but his track record shaping elite defensive backs.
CB Trevon Diggs
Over five seasons as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive backs coach, he helped develop players like Trevon Diggs.
Under Al Harris’ watch, Diggs led the league with 11 interceptions and made First-Team All-Pro under his guidance.
The Packers just released Diggs as a cap casualty after their loss to Al Harris’ secondary in Chicago. Imagine if they were to reunite in Lambeau…
CB DaRon Bland
Harris also helped develop DaRon Bland, who set an NFL record with five pick-sixes in 2023.
That 2023 secondary unit forced 23 turnovers and ranked among the league’s most opportunistic units.
After moving to the Chicago Bears, his influence on takeaway production continued, with his unit leading the NFL in interceptions and contributing to a league-best +22 turnover differential in 2025. Those numbers reflect a clear DB-centric mindset.
Harris doesn’t just coach coverage, he creates playmakers and instills a ball-hawking mentality that turns defense into offense.
Packers Need To Overhaul The Secondary
One thing is for certain, this DB room from 2025, is not the look. Anyone who has followed me for long enough knows exactly who in this picture I am hoping to not see lined up in 2026…..
While the Packers have an elite Safety group with Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard, the Cornerback group is scary at best.
Bringing in a defensive back minded coordinator aligns perfectly with the Packers’ current defensive philosophy and the timing couldn’t be better. With Hafley gone, Green Bay has the chance to double down on a theme that’s proven to generate impact plays and shift games.
Elite secondary play leading to turnovers.
Speaking of turnovers, I would be remissed if I didn’t share this clip while talking about Al Harris.
Al Harris’ Game-Winning Pick Six in OT | Seahawks vs Packers | 2003 NFC Wild Card Game Highlights
Packers Weighing Their Options
After Ed Policy put the rumor mill to bed by extending Gutey and LaFleur, all eyes are on the defense again this offseason.
This is a DEEEEEEP coaching carousel in 2025. WIth a third of the league’s teams hiring new head coaches, there seems to be no limit to who’s available.
Admittedly I was initially very much in the camp of wanting to bring Raheem Morris into the fold. However, the more I think about the Al Harris fit, the more it seems like the perfect answer.
Al Harris returning to Green Bay at this pivotal moment, but would bring a blend of historical identity and modern results. In Al Harris, the Packers don’t just get a defensive coordinator, they’ get an elite defensive coach that knows the culture, and consistently develops playmakers.
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