GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers fans across the state are already eager to start another chapter in Green Bay Packers football. 

Many of those fans we talked to on Thursday said new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was an unexpected pick for the Packers, but they hope he can improve the team’s defense.

What You Need To Know

  • Jeff Hafley comes to the Packers after working as the head coach for Boston College from 2020-23

  • Hafley worked as a defensive backs coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 2016-18

  • Prior to Hafley's time at Boston College, he was the co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach for Ohio State in 2019

Leo Kiper has discussed Wisconsin sports on the radio for 23 years. He hosts The Show with Leo and Balky on The Score in Appleton and Oshkosh. When news broke that the Packers hired Jeff Hafley as their new defensive coordinator, Kiper said the common question from fans is: Who is Jeff Hafley?

“This guy was not on our radar at all, so very much a surprise hire,” Kiper said.

Joe Barry was fired as Packers defensive coordinator after three seasons with the team. Despite the good vibes from the Packers playoff run, Kiper said fans are ready to move on.

“Definitely ready for a change. They are overwhelmingly applauding this hire as they think it’s definitely going to be an upgrade over Joe Barry,” Kiper said.

Kiper said fans have targeted the Packers defense, and special teams as units that need improvement. He said Hafley’s hire is significant.

Radio host Leo Kiper weighs in on Packers new defensive coordinator. (Spectrum News/Rhonda Foxx)

“I would say this hire is probably as important as the Rich Bisaccia hire for the special teams, which has not worked out that great so far. But, this is going to be his next big hire, and he’s definitely going to hit this one because the Packers have struggled so badly with their defensive coordinators over the past decade or so,” Kiper said.

Despite Hafley being a relative unknown name, fans at Lambeau Field like Ed Lamp are optimistic Hafley will help make the Packers great again.

“He might be able to. I’m hoping we’re a little more aggressive on defense. We got a lot of first-round draft picks on the defensive side of the ball. I hope we start utilizing those guys more,” Ed Lamp said.

If Hafley can help work out some kinks in the defense, Kiper said fans could possibly see the Packers hoist another Lombardi trophy in the future.

“I’m not gonna say Super Bowl or bust, but I will say the Super Bowl window is back open. So, Super Bowl contender, definitely,” Kiper said.