Now that only four teams remain in the NFL playoffs, the rest of the league is already busy planning for next season. This means that the coaching carousel is in full swing. The latest NFC North coach to head elsewhere is Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who was announced as the Miami Dolphins head coach on Monday. Initially, Bears fans were happy to see a competent defensive coordinator leave Green Bay. Yet, it's important to remember that Hafley's departure could have an inadvertent negative impact on the Chicago Bears.
In their last two matchups, the Bears had figured out the Packers' defense, completing impressive fourth-quarter comebacks. In Week 16, Chicago was down ten points in the fourth quarter to win it in overtime, and in the wild-card round, the Bears were down by 18 at one point before scoring a whopping 25 points in the fourth quarter on Hafley's defense to make it to the divisional round. In both games, the Bears had over 400 yards of offense. In their playoff clash, the Bears had more yards against the Packers than any team this season.
Last season, in Hafley's first campaign with the Packers, the team had a top-five defensive unit that was one of the best in the league at forcing turnovers. In 2025, the Packers were off to a great start defensively once again, but took a big step back in the second half of the season as the injuries piled up, most notably Micah Parsons.
Packers May Consider Bears DBs Coach Al Harris to Replace Jeff Hafley
The disappointing end to their season that began with Super Bowl aspirations has caused some soul-searching in Green Bay. While Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur will retain their jobs, there will be significant changes to the coaching staff. Bears fans may not like who will replace Hafley as the defensive coordinator.
One of the most commonly mentioned names for the vacant Packers DC job is Al Harris. The Bears' defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach, Harris, has done a masterful job in his first season in Chicago. After turning the Cowboys into the NFL's premier ballhawking units, Harris helped the Bears lead the league in interceptions this season.
Harris is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame, having his best seasons (2003-2010) as a player in Titletown, earning two Pro Bowl honors. If LaFleur approaches him with the defensive coordinator job, Harris may find it hard to turn it down.
At that point, Bears fans will wish that Hafley stayed in Green Bay for longer. The Packers are casting a wide net and are already interviewing Eagles DBs coach Christian Parker, so hopefully they will go a different direction. But Harris will certainly remain one of the top candidates for any vacant DC position around the league. Whether the Bears will be able to keep him for another season remains to be seen.