The Green Bay Packers have officially decided to keep defensive coordinator Mike Pettine for the 2019 NFL season after the team has recently hired new head coach Matt LaFleur.
#Packers officially announce Pettine will be back, but no word on the rest of the defensive staff. There are one or two who could wind up with a promotion elsewhere if the team lets them go.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) January 11, 2019
Pettine spent his first season with the Green Bay Packers in 2018 after a hiatus from the league for several seasons. Pettine spent 2014-2015 as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns but has mainly been heavily involved in defensive play calling over the course of his NFL career. The Packers defensive coordinator spent the most time with the Baltimore Ravens from 2002-2008 in which he worked closely with Rex Ryan. Pettine even worked with Ryan as the New York Jets defensive coordinator while Ryan was the team's head coach.
The Packers organization likes the schemes and situational adjustments Pettine is capable of handling. Unfortunately, the Packers have not been known for their defense since nearly a decade ago when Charles Woodson was with the team, and Clay Matthews first emerged as an elite linebacker. Pettine has plenty of talented players at his disposal including linebacker Blake Martinez, defensive tackle Mike Daniels, and rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander. Alexander emerged as one of the top defensive rookies to come out of the 2018 season.
The Packers have now missed the playoffs for the last two seasons, but there has been a lot of diversity and injuries that have hindered the team's success. A revamped coaching staff may be just what the potential powerhouse team needs to succeed.
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