The Green Bay Packers are looking for a new defensive coordinator after firing Dom Capers on Monday after nine seasons with the team. Green Bay is hoping the change will help improve a unit that ranked 22nd total defense and 26th in scoring defense. So, who will they target to replace Capers? Here are the six most likely candidates:
6) Teryl Austin, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
Austin is one of the most well-respected coaches in the sport and is a candidate for several head coaching jobs this offseason - including Detroit's. However, should he not get a head job and the Lions hire someone else who wants to bring in a different DC, Austin will be a free agent. His aggressive press-man scheme would fit in perfectly with Green Bay's personnel.
5) Gus Bradley, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator
Bradley helped create the Legion of Boom and the Seattle Seahawks' dominant defense when he was the defensive coordinator there from 2009-2012, and while he didn't have success as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he laid the foundation for their dominant defense as well. This year was his first with the Chargers and he turned them into one of the league's better units. Bradley is also a coaching free agent.
4) Mike Trgovac, Packers defensive line coach
If Green Bay is looking to stay in-house, Trgovac will be the guy they promote to DC. He has held the position with the Packers since 2009 and is well respected by everyone with the franchise. Trgovac also has defensive coordinator experience, holding the job for the Carolina Panthers from 2003-2008.
LIKE NFL by Chat Sports on Facebook to be notified when the NFL Daily goes live at 6 p.m. ET six days a week!
3) Mike Pettine, former Cleveland Browns head coach
Pettine has been out of coaching since going 10-22 with the Browns from 2014-15 but was an excellent defensive coordinator with both the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills before then. He spent the 2017 season with Seattle learning from the coaching staff. It's only a matter of time before he gets another gig.
2) John Pagano, Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator
Pagano isn't expected to return to Oakland after the firing of head coach Jack Del Rio, and he'll be one of the most sought-after defensive coordinators available. The 50-year-old had success with the San Diego Chargers as the DC from 2012-16 and then again with the Raiders during the last few games of the season.
1) Vic Fangio, Chicago Bears defensive coordinator
Undoubtedly the favorite to switch NFC North teams, Fangio had his contract expire in Chicago. He's a proven commodity with NFL experience dating back to 1986, something Green Bay is looking for. Fangio is expected to have his pick of defensive coordinator jobs, but everything seems to indicate that he'll be the Packers' guy right now.
Check out our NFL team page for all the latest NFL Rumors or download the Chat Sports App!
Back to the Green Bay Packers Newsfeed