Green Bay Packers: 5 Defensive coordinators to replace Mike Pettine

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator candidate No. 1: Wade Phillips

This one might be a long shot but, at the end of the day, there might not be a better candidate to consider than 74-year-old Wade Phillips. Currently retired from the NFL coaching ranks after a stint with the Rams, the veteran coach with experience as a coordinator and even head coach in the league is as respected as they come.

We’ve seen the fruits of Phillips’ labor throughout his 28 years in the NFL as a defensive coordinator. He helped guide one of the more dominant defenses in recent memory while with the Denver Broncos in 2015, helping them to win a Super Bowl. He was also at the helm of the Rams for several years more recently, helping players like Aaron Donald come into their own.

That connection to the Rams could be critical. Matt LaFleur coached alongside Phillips in Los Angeles in 2017 before the former left for Tennessee. If Phillips is going to be lured out of retirement, you would assume that he would need to be in a situation where he’s comfortable and where he has great talent to work with. The Packers would check both boxes.

Because of his age, Phillips likely would not be a long-term option for Green Bay. However, he could help right the ship and further open the Super Bowl window for Aaron Rodgers in his late 30s while potentially grooming someone on the staff to take up the mantle soon after.