Green Bay Packers Add Former Bills DC To Defensive Coaching Staff
The Green Bay Packers are not messing around this offseason. After bringing in Jonathan Gannon to run the defense, the team is aggressively rebuilding its coaching staff. The latest move is a significant one, as the Packers have hired former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich to be their new defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach.
Green Bay Packers Defense Adds Another High Level Coach
Landing a sitting defensive coordinator from a quality team like the Bills and bringing him in to lead a position group is a major move. It signals a clear commitment from Matt LaFleur and the front office to inject new ideas and proven leadership into a defense that needs to take the next step.
For fans, this move is both exciting and telling. It shows that the Green Bay Packers defense is undergoing a serious philosophical shift. Let’s break down who Bobby Babich is and what this addition means for the team.
Who is Bobby Babich?
If the name Bobby Babich sounds familiar, it should. The Packers actually interviewed him for their defensive coordinator opening back in 2024 before he ultimately stayed in Buffalo and Green Bay hired Jeff Hafley. The fact that he was on the team’s radar then shows that this is a coach the organization has respected for a while.
Babich, 42, is an ascending young coach with a deep well of experience. He’s been coaching in the NFL since 2011 and has been a key part of the Bills’ staff since 2017. During his time in Buffalo, he wore many hats:
- Assistant Defensive Backs Coach (2017)
- Safeties Coach (2018-2021)
- Linebackers Coach (2022-2023)
- Defensive Coordinator (2024-2025)
This versatility is huge. He has experience coaching every level of the defense, which gives him a holistic understanding of how a defensive scheme should work. He’s not just a secondary specialist; he knows how the linebacker and defensive back play should complement each other. His father, Bob Babich, was also a long-time NFL defensive coordinator, so football is in his blood.
Why This Hire is a Home Run
Landing the Bobby Babich is a significant win for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. It immediately gives him a high-level assistant who has already run his own defense.
Here’s why this move is so impactful:
- Experience and Proven Success: As the Bills’ defensive coordinator, Babich led units that were consistently competitive. In 2024, his defense ranked 11th in points allowed and third in takeaways. Last season, they were seventh in yards allowed. He knows what it takes to succeed in this league.
- Expertise in the Secondary: Before moving to linebackers and DC, Babich spent the majority of his career coaching defensive backs. This is his bread and butter. The Packers are bringing in a specialist to oversee a secondary that has been inconsistent at times. He has a track record of developing talent and will be tasked with getting the best out of players like Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and the safety group.
- Filling a Void: With defensive backs coach Ryan Downard following Jeff Hafley to Miami, the Packers had a significant hole on their staff. They didn’t just fill it; they upgraded. Babich’s title of “Defensive Pass Game Coordinator” also suggests he will have a major say in how the team defends against the pass, a crucial role in today’s NFL.
Rebuilding the Packers Defensive Coaching Staff
This hire is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The Packers defensive coaching staff is undergoing a complete transformation under Jonathan Gannon. With Ryan Downard and linebackers coach Sean Duggan also departing, Gannon is essentially building his staff from the ground up.
Bringing in a respected mind like Babich is a strong first step. It shows that Gannon is looking for talented collaborators who can challenge him and bring fresh perspectives. It also raises questions about the future of Derrick Ansley, who was the pass game coordinator for the past two seasons. Babich’s arrival likely means Ansley will either take on a new role or move on.
The next major hire to watch will be for the linebackers coach position. One name being floated is Nick Rallis, who was Gannon’s defensive coordinator in Arizona. Building this staff correctly is just as important as the players on the field.
What Does This Mean for the Defense?
This move signals a commitment to a more modern and adaptable defensive approach. Babich has experience working in different schemes and has shown the ability to get the most out of his players. His extensive background coaching safeties is particularly noteworthy, as the Packers have struggled to find consistent, high-level play at that position.
His primary task will be to tighten up the back end of the defense. This means better communication, fewer coverage breakdowns, and creating more turnovers. With his dual role as secondary coach and pass game coordinator, he’ll be responsible for everything from individual technique to the overarching scheme used on passing downs.
Ultimately, the Packers are building a defensive brain trust. They have a new leader in Jonathan Gannon and are surrounding him with smart, experienced, and ascending coaches like Bobby Babich. For a team looking to get back to championship contention, this is exactly the kind of aggressive, forward-thinking move you want to see. The offseason is just getting started, but the Packers have already made a statement.
