The Green Bay Packers finally provided clarity on Matt LaFleur’s future, with the seventh-year head coach landing a contract extension. General manager Brian Gutekunst and EVP Russ Ball will reportedly also sign new deals, keeping the Packers’ core together.

However, the work is only just beginning. The first order of business is to find a replacement for Jeff Hafley, as he is inching closer to the Miami Dolphins’ head coach job. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, with Hafley expected to depart, the Packers “have begun work on defensive coordinators.”

LaFleur’s first move after signing his extension should be to give Raheem Morris a call.

Packers need to move quickly to land Raheem Morris to replace Jeff Hafley

Morris is one of the best defensive coaches available. LaFleur worked alongside him in Atlanta, so he could have the inside track in this hiring cycle.

While his run as the Falcons’ head coach didn’t work out, Morris has a proven track record as an outstanding defensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams. He helped them win a Super Bowl in the 2021 season.

This year, only the Denver Broncos had more sacks than the Falcons’ 57 under Morris’ leadership. According to ESPN, they ranked sixth in pass-rush win rate. That would be an exciting prospect with Morris getting to work with Micah Parsons.

Morris also has experience on offense, spending time as a wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator in Atlanta during LaFleur’s time there as the quarterbacks coach. It gives Morris rare experience, as he has worked on both sides of the ball at a high level in the NFL.

Morris is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the league, and his players love him.

Hafley is a tough act to follow. While his defense fell apart in the fourth quarter of the playoff loss, it’s hard to blame Hafley. He had already lost Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt, and the meltdown in Chicago coincided with Edgerrin Cooper leaving the game due to injury. Hafley deserves credit for even making the defense competitive despite all the injuries.

It’s a tough loss for the Packers, and it won’t be surprising if Hafley takes some of LaFleur’s assistants with him. That will leave a void in Green Bay, but Morris should be at the top of LaFleur’s list of defensive coordinator targets.

They have a great relationship and have worked together before. Now that LaFleur is locked into a new deal, he should immediately call Morris and make it happen.