Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry was fired after a rollercoaster season in Green Bay.
“We want to thank Joe for his commitment and contributions to our success the past three seasons,” head coach Matt LaFleur said in a statement one day after indicating he’d take his time to review all staff members. “These decisions are extremely difficult and Joe is one of the best men I’ve had the opportunity to work with in this league.”
Barry’s defense was 17th in the NFL in the regular season in total defense and 10th in points allowed, but ranked No. 28 against the run and 25th on third downs.
The Packers allowed 128.3 rushing yards per game and 335.1 total yards per game. Opponents converted 41.1 percent of third downs to first downs.
The Packers hired Barry in 2021 to replace Mike Pettine. The 53-year-old was previously defensive coordinator in Washington and Detroit, and his second stop in the NFL came with the Tony Dungy-led Buccaneers. That Tampa Bay staff included defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, Barry’s father-in-law.
Green Bay’s season ended last week in a divisional round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Pettine was fired by LaFleur following the 2021 NFC Championship game loss. LaFleur and Barry were assistants with the Los Angeles Rams in 2017.
LaFleur said prior to the playoff trip to San Francisco that he was pleased with Barry and the defensive turnaround he helped lead after the team fell to 6-8 following a disconcerting defensive showing against the Buccaneers on Dec. 17.
“I couldn’t be happier,” LaFleur said before the loss to the 49ers. “I know what Joe Barry is all about in terms of resiliency. There’s (been) tough moments, and there’s tough moments in every season. I felt like I know what we have in him, and (the staff) was confident that if anybody could right the ship, so to speak, it was him.”
