Report: Former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry to interview with Eagles, Bears

After the Green Bay Packers opted to part ways with defensive coordinator Joe Barry this week, the dismissed assistant is already lining up interviews. According to reports, Barry will interview for the Philadelphia Eagles’ open linebackers coach position on Friday. He also has an interview lined up with the Chicago Bears, for an unspecified position, according to Dianna Russini. Coaching linebackers has been the former Michigan and USC standout’s specialty since joining the coaching ranks after his playing career.

The Green Bay Packers made an unexpected run to the NFC Divisional Round, but they began making some changes to their coaching staff this week. While the Packers defense wasn’t terrible in the playoffs, Green Bay still decided to part ways with Barry. Barry’s unit held steady for majority of the game against San Francisco, before allowing the 49ers to rattle off a 12-play, 69-yard game-winning drive in the final six minutes of the game.

Barry, 53, has been a defensive coordinator for seven seasons in the NFL, serving previous two-year tenures with the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders before joining the Packers in 2021. Throughout his career, he’s also coached for the 49ers, USC, the Chargers, the Buccaneers and the Rams. He served as Sean McVay’s assistant head coach in Los Angeles from 2017-2020.

In Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA), Berry’s defenses have finished 20th or worse each season. This season, the Packers finished 27th. In more traditional stats, Green Bay finished 17th in yards per game (335.1) and 10th in points per game (20.6). 

Packers fire S&C coach Chris Gizzi

Thursday brought more changes to the Green Bay Packers coaching staff as the team officially announced the dismissal of strength and conditioning coach Chris Gizzi.

Here was the release from Green Bay announcing the team’s decision:

“The Green Bay Packers have dismissed strength and conditioning coordinator Chris Gizzi. Head Coach Matt LaFleur made the announcement Thursday. Gizzi, who played linebacker for the Packers in 2000-01, worked on the strength staff for Green Bay for 10 seasons, including the last five as the coordinator.”

The release also provided a brief statement from head coach Matt LaFleur on the move:

“We appreciate Chris for his dedication and contributions to our success over his time with the Packers. We wish Chris and his family the best moving forward.”

After a decade with the team, spanning multiple coaching staffs, Gizzi has been let go by the Green Bay Packers. Prior to his time with the Packers, Gizzi only held one other position in the football coaching realm as a strength and conditioning assistant with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2013 before catching on in a similar role with Green Bay the next season.

On3’s Alex Weber contributed to this report.