The Packers hired him mostly because of his background teaching defensive backs.
Of course, a number of reasons ultimately played a role in Matt LaFleur’s decision to select Jeff Hafley as the next defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, but one that stood out was his prior expertise as a defensive back specialist.
“Undoubtedly,” LaFleur responded when asked if Hafley’s experience as a defensive back played a significant role. It’s a pass-dominant league, especially this one. His ability to lead from the back end was undoubtedly one of the things that most appealed to me. On all three levels, though, I believe he has an excellent knowledge base.
Prior to taking the helm at Boston College in 2020, Hafley has experience in the NFL as a defensive backs coach. He also served as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator in 2019.
Before being elevated to defensive backs coach in 2013, Hafley began his NFL career as the assistant defensive backs coach for Tampa Bay in 2012. Then, from 2014 to 2015, he was the same title holder with Cleveland, and from 2016 to 2018, he was with San Francisco.
The Packers just didn’t have enough big plays at the safety and cornerback positions in 2023. The Packers defense as a unit produced seven interceptions, which was the second-fewest in football, but no player at either position group ranked in the top half of the NFL in forced incompletions.
Due in part to Joe Barry’s passive defensive strategy, these Packers defenders weren’t always in the best positions to make plays with the ball.
But if Hafley’s past defenses offer any clues as to what to anticipate in Green Bay, it may imply more Cover-1 looks, which means more man coverage and increased attention from the media for the cornerbacks.
On the defensive back end, LaFleur and Hafley also talked about changing to a more vision-based strategy. All of which ought to increase the amount of opportunities that the secondary players have to make plays with the ball.
“Our guys can play quickly because our zone coverages are based on vision and break, which prevents them from staring at people and searching for people,” Hafley explained. Playing vision-and-break coverage basically entails having two or three players rush 100 miles per hour to the ball carrier as soon as the ball is thrown.
And I believe that to be the primary distinction. Additionally, you need to have counterbalances because you can’t always play that defensive manner when you want to apply pressure. You need to approach individuals with aggression and physical contact. Thus, I believe that both have their place. I’m a big believer in vision and break because I want to repeatedly witness as many individuals as possible reaching the ball carrier as quickly as possible.
His defensive strategy will be characterized by energy, scheme, and building relationships with the players through candid communication.
And Hafley has consistently received praise for his ability to make the gameplan easy for players to understand, whether from LaFleur or previous teammates like Tashaun Gipson, Richard Sherman, or Jordan Fuller. This keeps the defenders from overanalyzing and lets them play quickly.
Coach Hafley in San Francisco, Richard Sherman, a cornerback, said of the player, “His preparation is some of the best I’ve seen.” He ranks right up there in terms of preparation, film analysis, and how clear and straightforward the gameplan sounds. I’ve had some excellent defensive back coaches, defensive coaches, and defensive minds. How simple he makes it for men to comprehend. He gives you a clear image of what to expect, and it all comes down to carrying it out.
The Packers have a very strong foundation at cornerback with Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Carrington Valentine; nevertheless, they will need to add more depth and find a nickel cornerback.
Still, safety is a far more pressing need. The Packers will definitely wind up addressing this position through both the draft and free agency. It seems like the Packers may address this issue by using some free agency money, given the significance of the safety position in Hafley’s defense—a topic he covers here—as well as the fact that this is a mediocre draft class but a strong free agent class.
Hafley will determine what skill sets his defenders possess and tailor the scheme to fit them, as opposed to simply dictating how the defenders must play within it. This is just one more instance of how the Packers’ defense’s back end could be unlocked by this acquisition.
“It’s our responsibility to position the players for success and to make plays, and you know that’s done through scheme, right? Although the plan is quite thorough, many may argue that it is simpler overall. We aim to simplify things for the players so they can play quickly, not have to think about it, feel confident, and not be scared to make mistakes. This way, I can provide them with the information they need, or we can provide it to them, so they can play fearlessly, run, hit, cover, get off blocks, and tackle.
That’s what makes the plan so lovely. We have pressurized folks on our hands, so let’s go in position and grab people. That seems like a very crucial point. Let’s go get the ball now that you have a player who can read a two-to-one and play zone third.
