NFL insider believes Packers DC Jeff Hafley will get head coach job this cycle

At least one NFL insider believes Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is going to get a head-coaching job during the upcoming cycle.

In ESPN's "head coaching carousel intel" post from this week, senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler picked Hafley as the candidate he "most strongly" believes will land a job in the coming weeks, and he connected Hafley with the open New York Giants job.

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"But I'll go with Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley," Fowler wrote. "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."

Hafley helped revamp the Packers defense over the last two seasons, has head coaching experience at the college level and is a strong teacher and communicator.

Last season, the Packers improved significantly on defense in Hafley's first year in charge, ranking sixth in points allowed, fifth in yards allowed and fourth in takeaways. In 2025, the Packers looked elite at times but have since fallen off after losing defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and edge rusher Micah Parsons to injuries. Green Bay ranks 11th in points and yards allowed and only 27th in takeaways this season.

Hafley previously spent seven years (2012-2018) as a defensive assistant coaching defensive backs at the NFL level before spending one season as the co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State (2019). From 2020 to 2023, Hafley was the head coach at Boston College.

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If Hafley departs for a head coaching job, Matt LaFleur will need to hire his fourth different defensive coordinator since becoming the Packers head coach in 2019.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: NFL insider believes Packers DC Jeff Hafley will get head coach job this cycle