With Jeff Hafley heading to Miami, the Packers are now in need of a new defensive coordinator. We’ve now got our first candidate for the opening. According to Jordan Schultz, the Packers will interview Eagles DBs coach and pass-game coordinator Christian Parker for the job.
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This would be a bit of a homecoming for Parker, who started his NFL coaching career in Green Bay. Following a two-year stint as a Packers defensive quality control coach, Parker moved to the Eagles to serve as their defensive backs coach in 2021. He spent three years in that role before earning the added responsibility of passing game coordinator in 2024.
Most recently, Parker has been credited with the development of cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. Both of the 2024 draft picks have emerged as key starters in Philly, and the duo both earned spots in the top-10 of Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings this season. Parker was also part of Vic Fangio‘s defensive staff that ranked No. 1 against the pass during their Super Bowl-winning 2024 campaign. While the defense took a slight step back in 2025 (finishing eighth overall), that didn’t do much to hurt Parker’s coordinator candidacy.
The 34-year-old has emerged as a name to watch during each of the past two hiring cycles. He interviewed for the Saints gig last offseason, and he’s expected to garner a second interview with the Cowboys this year.
If he ends up earning the Packers job, he’ll be tasked with turning around a defense that slightly disappointed this past year. The Packers ranked top 10 in points (sixth) and yards (fifth) in 2024, but the unit was less successful in 2025 (11th scoring and 12th in total defense). Part of that was due to Micah Parsons‘ season-ending injury, and Hafley’s popularity in this year’s coaching carousel proved that Green Bay’s defensive approach was still highly regarded.