The Green Bay Packers just lost their defensive star for the remainder of the season. Micah Parsons' first year at Lambeau Field will end with a torn ACL, and their Super Bowl chances may have taken a big shot.
At least, it sounds like the band will stay together to run it back next season, regardless of how things end this time around. At least, Jeff Hafley is talking as if he's going to stay as the team's defensive coordinator for a little longer.
Did Jeff Hafley Hint at Staying in Green Bay?
If I were a betting man, I would bet that he comes back even better and probably breaks the sack record next year,” Hafley said, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “So I’m going to put that on Micah and myself, and you guys can put that out there. We’ll see when he comes back. Just wait until you guys see how hard he works to come back, how fast he probably comes back; give Micah adversity and watch what happens.”
The devil is in the details, and while he didn't say anything specific about his future, the fact that he's talking as if he's going to be there is quite telling. He's been tangled up in multiple rumors as a potential head coach candidate for the next hiring cycle, but it sounds like he's just fine in Wisconsin.
Some have even mentioned him as a potential replacement for Matt LaFleur if the Packers decide to move on from their head coach this season. Whatever the case, it seems like he's not going anywhere for the time being.
Hafley turned the Packers' ever-struggling defense around. He finally made the most of the plethora of talent they had on that side of the field, and they've kept the team afloat even when the conservative play-calling has held the offense back.
This season, the Packers are giving up the fifth-fewest total yards per game (309.1), the eighth-fewest passing yards per game (194.1), the eighth-fewest rushing yards (100.5), and the eighth-fewest points per game (19.9). It makes perfect sense why Hafley has been such a hot commodity on the coaching carousel.
Of course, having one of the best pass rushers in the game on the field has worked wonders to help that unit, and not having Micah Parsons out there will take a toll on their defense. Even so, Hafley's hard work hasn't gone unnoticed, and being able to keep him around might be the Packers' biggest offseason win if it happens.