Green Bay Packers Were Fortunate to Keep Key Defensive Coach as National Attention Grows
The Green Bay Packers may have one of the NFL’s most underrated assets on their coaching staff, and they were fortunate to keep him this offseason.
The Athletic recently included Packers assistant head coach DeMarcus Covington on its list of NFL assistant coaches to watch in 2026, further confirming what many around the league have believed for years: Covington is rapidly becoming one of the most respected defensive minds in football.
For Green Bay, the recognition is both encouraging and potentially concerning.
Green Bay Packers DeMarcus Covington Gets Preseason Flowers
Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic highlighted Covington as a coach who could be in line for even bigger opportunities in the near future. That’s hardly surprising.
Before joining the Green Bay Packers, Covington spent seven seasons in New England, working under Bill Belichick and alongside notable defensive coaches like Brian Flores. He steadily climbed the coaching ladder with the Patriots, eventually serving as defensive coordinator before arriving in Green Bay.
The fact that he has already received interest for defensive coordinator vacancies elsewhere speaks volumes about his reputation around the league.
Packers Made Keeping Him a Priority
When Green Bay revamped its defensive coaching staff, it would have been easy for Covington to look elsewhere.
Instead, the Green Bay Packers found a way to keep him.
Although Jonathan Gannon was hired as defensive coordinator, Green Bay rewarded Covington with an expanded role that now includes assistant head coach of the defense, outside linebackers coach, and run game coordinator.
Three titles for one coach isn’t an accident.
It’s a clear indication that Matt LaFleur and the front office view Covington as one of the most valuable members of the organization.
Rather than losing him after the coordinator change, the Packers made sure he remained a major part of the defensive leadership structure.
Major Role in a New Defensive System
Covington’s importance may actually increase in 2026. With Gannon implementing a return to a 3-4 base scheme, the structure of Green Bay’s defensive coaching staff has changed significantly. Last season, edge rushers and defensive linemen were coached together. Now those responsibilities are being separated.
Covington will focus on the outside linebackers while continuing to oversee the run game and assist with broader defensive leadership duties.
That’s particularly important early in the season as the Packers navigate life without Micah Parsons, who is still recovering from a torn ACL.
Developing and maximizing the team’s edge rushers could play a major role in determining how successful Green Bay’s defense is before Parsons returns.
Experience Makes Him Incredibly Valuable
One reason Covington is attracting national attention is his versatility.
Few assistant coaches possess experience coaching the defensive line, outside linebackers, and coordinating an entire defense at the NFL level.
That diverse background allows him to view the defense from multiple perspectives and makes him a valuable sounding board for Gannon.
It’s also why Green Bay trusted him with the assistant head coach title after Rich Bisaccia’s departure.
The Packers clearly see him as more than a position coach.
Green Bay May Not Have Him Much Longer
The Athletic’s recognition is great news for Covington, but it may not be great news for the Packers long term.
If Green Bay’s defense performs well in 2026, particularly while overcoming Parsons’ early-season absence, Covington is likely to become a serious candidate for defensive coordinator openings across the league.
Those opportunities may be difficult to turn down.
That’s why Green Bay should appreciate having him on staff while it can.
Keeping Covington after this offseason’s coaching changes was a significant win for the organization. His experience, leadership, and defensive expertise help give the Packers one of the strongest coaching staffs in the NFC.
The challenge now is maximizing that advantage before the rest of the league comes calling again.
