The Green Bay Packers will already have high expectations entering the 2024 season. After reaching the divisional round of the playoffs in Jordan Love’s first year starting, that will be the floor in his second year. While the offense found their grove late in the season, proving they could put up points on nearly any team, the defense sputtered at times still.
Following the season the Packers decided to go in a different direction with their defensive coordinator by hiring former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley. However, there seems to be another vacant defensive coaching position now.
The Green Bay Packers Part Ways With Another Defensive Coach Amid New Regimen
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic:
Sources: Packers defensive line coach and run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery is not returning next season on Jeff Hafley’s staff. Montgomery has been with Green Bay since 2015 and already has multiple opportunities to coach elsewhere.
Montgomery joined Dom Capers’ staff in 2015 as a defensive assistant after eight years as an on-field coach at the college level. During Mike Pettine’s first season as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator in 2018, he was promoted to the team’s defensive line coach. The title of running game coordinator was also awarded to him by Joe Barry in 2022. Montgomery was the Packers’ longest-tenured coach.
Montgomery will interview with the New England Patriots for a staff position there soon, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. As of yet, the Packers have not announced who will coach their defensive line.
Last season Green Bay ranked:
- 28th in rush yards allowed
- 23rd in yards allowed per carry
The run defense has been problematic for the Packers for years now. Going in a different direction with that aspect of the coaching staff may be huge for the defense in 2024.