It was inevitable.
Once Jeff Hafley accepted the Miami Dolphins’ head coach job, it became a matter of when, not if, he would take other members of the Green Bay Packers’ staff with him. That process is well and truly underway.
First, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston broke the news that the Dolphins are hiring Packers defensive backs coach Ryan Downard. That was followed by a report from Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Hafley is also bringing Packers linebackers coach Sean Duggan with him, potentially to serve as his defensive coordinator.
Matt LaFleur must retool his staff, but Duggan’s departure may open the door for the Packers to land a rising star in the coaching ranks.
Packers should target Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis
New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon may want to bring some of his own coaches to Green Bay. Nick Rallis is a name to watch.
Rallis was Gannon’s defensive coordinator in Arizona and previously served as the Philadelphia Eagles’ linebackers coach while Gannon called the plays there.
The Cardinals may want to retain the services of the 32-year-old, who has quickly risen through the coaching ranks, but that likely depends on who they hire to be their next head coach. Arizona has already allowed offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to make a lateral move to the Detroit Lions.
In November, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network listed Rallis as one of the young coaches to know ahead of the upcoming head coach hiring cycle. Pelissero noted that Rallis is “considered a rising star.”
“Gannon brought him to Philadelphia and then Arizona, where Rallis calls the defensive plays. Like Arizona’s offense, the defense, too, is middle of the pack. But many within the league believe it’s a matter ofwhen, notif, Rallis gets his shot to run the show,” Pelissero wrote.
Rallis’ stock may have taken a hit due to Arizona’s defensive struggles, but a stop in Green Bay could quickly put him back on the right track.
If the Cardinals allow Rallis to interview elsewhere (they can block anything other than head coach interviews), the Packers would likely face competition. But he would be a dream addition to Gannon’s defensive staff, particularly as the linebackers coach, a role he thrived in previously.
In 2022, Rallis helped the Eagles’ defense register 70 sacks. Linebacker T.J. Edwards made a career-best 159 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Rallis has experience coaching the position and could help Edgerrin Cooper reach his All-Pro potential.
Rallis could stay in Arizona, or he may receive an opportunity to take one of the remaining defensive coordinator roles. But LaFleur and Gannon should do everything they can to bring him to Green Bay.
The Packers suddenly need a linebackers coach, and Rallis would be the perfect hire.
