Raheem Morris has named a possible replacement for Jeff Hafley

Jeff Hafley is now official head coach of the Miami Dolphinsleaving Green Bay Packers a new defensive coordinator is needed. Among the names in the conversation, the former coach of the Atlanta Falcons Raheem Morris is presented as a potential option.

Morris, 49, was back on the job when the Falcons abruptly fired him after officially missing the playoffs for the eighth straight season. He was raised as one of three potential options NBA reporter Sean Wright, along with Denver Broncos assistant Jim Leonhardt and Chicago Bears assistant Al Harris.

LaFleur and Morris worked together briefly on Mike Shanahan’s staff with the Washington Redskins in 2012 and 2013. LaFleur was the team’s running backs coach, while Morris was the defensive backs coach.

Since he was freed by the Falcons, Morris has already interviewed with multiple teams. He talked to the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans for their head coaching vacancies within two weeks of his firing.

While the Giants and Titans have gone in other directions, Morris remains in the running for the Cardinals’ head coaching job. Arizona is looking to replace Jonathan Gannon, who went 15-36 in three years with the team.

The Packers were briefly considered to join the ranks of teams looking for new head coaches after suffering yet another first-round playoff exit. Green Bay instead extended coach LaFleur before losing Hafley to the Dolphins.

Raheem Morris among 3 candidates named for Packers job

While Morris is the most prominent name linked to the Packers job, Leonhardt and Harris are expected to land the defensive coordinator jobs in the offseason. The 43-year-old Leonhard is among the top coaches likely to receive a promotion in the coming weeks from his current position as the Broncos’ assistant head coach and defensive pass coordinator.

Since retiring from the NFL, Leonard has improved every defense he’s coached. The Broncos allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards per game under his leadership in 2025, despite teams throwing against them at the second-highest rate.

Harris, 51, hasn’t had much success lately, but has been considered an up-and-coming coach for years. The former cornerback helped the struggling Bears secondary stay afloat in 2025 without stars Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon playing most of the year.

Both Leonhard and Harris have impressive resumes, but LaFleur has historically favored experience in defensive coordinator hires. He lured Hafley away from Boston College in 2023, where Hafley was a successful head coach.