THE GREEN BAY PACKERS LOSE 2 MORE DEFENSIVE COACHES

By Justis Mosqueda

The Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff turnover continues into the offseason, as the team has now lost two more key defensive coaches. On Wednesday night, reports surfaced that passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley and quality control coach Wendel Davis would be leaving the Packers to join former Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley with the Miami Dolphins. This marks the latest shift in the Packers’ defensive coaching ranks, which already saw the departure of Hafley, linebackers coach Sean Duggan, and defensive backs coach Ryan Downard earlier this week.

As the Packers continue to reshuffle their defensive coaching staff, here’s a rundown of the key members from 2025 who remain with the team in 2026:

• Defensive line coach/run game coordinator: DeMarcus Covington

• Assistant defensive line coach: Vince Oghobaase

• Defensive analyst: Nathaniel Hackett

• Defensive assistant: Jeff Koonz

• Defensive quality control: Jamael Lett

At least for the moment, only Covington remains in an on-field coaching role for the Packers, while others like Hackett and Lett are taking on more analytical or specialized roles within the defensive unit. Oghobaase, who was part of the coaching staff brought in by Hafley from Boston College, is one of the remaining holdovers from the previous defensive coaching regime.

Hackett, known for his past experience as an offensive coordinator with the Packers, is reportedly focused on reverse-engineering defensive schemes during his buyout year. Lett, with a background in coaching the secondary, is also currently working with defensive backs at the Senior Bowl, coaching for the National team. Koonz, who previously coached linebackers and special teams at West Virginia, rounds out the remaining coaching staff for Green Bay.

Coaching Changes Continue: Ansley and Davis Depart

While the loss of Ansley and Davis isn’t necessarily a surprise given the shifts in Green Bay’s defensive structure, it is still notable. Ansley, who was with the Packers as the passing game coordinator, had extensive experience coaching defensive schemes, having previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. With a history of coaching a system centered around Cover 4 — a defensive scheme that 49ers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has utilized heavily in his career — Ansley’s departure marks a significant change in the Packers’ defensive philosophy.

Gannon, who took over as the Packers’ defensive coordinator in 2026, has called more Cover 4 than any other team over the last five seasons, making Ansley’s experience with that system a potentially valuable asset. However, Gannon seems intent on bringing in his own staff to implement his vision for the Packers’ defense. This shift is becoming increasingly clear as the team continues to part ways with coaches who were part of the previous regime, signaling that Gannon wants full control over the defensive coaching staff.

The Arrival of Bobby Babich

To fill Ansley’s void, the Packers have reportedly hired Bobby Babich, the former defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, to take over as the team’s new passing game coordinator. Babich’s experience in coaching top-tier defenses in Buffalo could make him an ideal fit for Green Bay as they look to revamp their defensive system under Gannon’s guidance. Babich’s arrival signals a commitment to developing a defense that focuses on versatility and coverage, an area where Gannon has had great success in recent years.

Packers’ Coaching Changes: What’s Behind the Shuffling?

It’s worth noting that, while the Packers are experiencing a coaching turnover, many of the moves are happening without a direct firing. Instead, several coaches are leaving to reunite with Hafley in Miami, indicating a mutual parting of ways rather than forced dismissals. In some cases, like when offensive line coach James Campen left the Packers in 2019 to join the Cleveland Browns, coaches may simply agree to leave without buyout obligations, allowing both the coaches and the organization to go in new directions.

As of now, the Packers will likely look to fill several vacant coaching positions in the coming weeks, with the number of new hires depending on whether DeMarcus Covington stays in his current role. If Covington departs, the team could hire up to four new defensive coaches to fill the gaps left by Ansley and Davis. The recent interest in Covington, including an interview for the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator position, shows that other teams recognize his potential.

What’s Next for the Packers’ Defense?

When Jonathan Gannon served as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, he kept a streamlined staff with just one on-field coach per defensive level: one for the defensive line, one for linebackers, and one for the secondary. This approach is likely to influence how Gannon structures the Packers’ defense moving forward. In Arizona, as a head coach, Gannon expanded his staff, adding specialized coaches for various positions on defense. It remains to be seen whether he will take a similar approach in Green Bay, potentially adding multiple new coaches to work alongside Covington and others.

While the coaching staff shuffle continues, it’s clear that the Packers are in the midst of a transformation. Gannon will need to solidify his coaching staff and implement his defensive philosophy, all while developing the Packers’ young defensive talent. With a revamped staff, Green Bay’s defense could look significantly different in 2026, but whether the changes lead to immediate success remains to be seen.

Looking Ahead

The Packers’ offseason is just beginning, and the coaching changes are far from over. With Gannon now in charge of the defense, Green Bay will need to make strategic decisions to rebuild their defensive coaching staff and adapt to the evolving NFL landscape. Whether these changes lead to a stronger Packers defense in 2026 or not, one thing is clear: the team is committed to making the necessary adjustments to keep up with their NFC North rivals.