After losing to the NY Giants on Monday Night Football, the Green Bay Packers fans were furious with Joe Barry, demanding he be fired.
In a crucial moment, the Packers’ defense faltered, allowing backup QB Tommy DeVito to make a decisive drive that culminated in the Giants clinching victory with a last-second field goal.
Barry’s understaffed secondary succumbed to a 32-yard reception, placing the Giants within striking distance for the game-deciding field goal.
American football coach Joe Barry currently holds the defensive coordinator position for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.
His coaching tenure includes a significant role as the assistant head coach and LB coach for the Los Angeles Rams from 2017 to 2020.
Before his time with the Rams, Barry served as the defensive coordinator for the Redskins from 2015 to 2016.
His extensive coaching experience extends to roles as an assistant coach with notable teams such as the San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers.
Packers’ Turmoil: Discontent, Defensive Woes, and the Road Ahead
The aftermath of the Packers’ loss to the Giants saw a surge of discontent among fans, with calls for Joe Barry’s dismissal resonating across social media platforms, especially on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Likewise, the head coach, Matt LaFleur, expressed dissatisfaction with the defensive playcalling by coordinator Joe Barry in the crucial moments against the Giants.
In a post-game statement, LaFleur highlighted concerns about yielding too many chunk plays, lapses in leverage, and conceding explosive plays that translated into points.
Bluntly assessing the performance, LaFleur stated, “It was just bad ball.”
Moreover, he expressed his disappointment with the Packers’ defensive performance, noting his dissatisfaction with how they yielded leverage to the Giants and played off the ball during the two-minute defense.
The Packers, seemingly on an upward trajectory after overcoming a 3-6 start to the season, faced the Giants as road favorites on Monday Night Football, only to encounter the unexpected challenge of DeVito-mania.
Fortuitously, the Packers find themselves securely positioned in the No. 7 slot in the NFC playoff race.
Given their favorable schedule ahead, it appears likely that they will maintain this position in the future.
Packers’ Defensive Dilemma: Will Joe Barry Be Fired?
Overall, the Packers’ defense has performed adequately this year, particularly considering the challenges posed by injuries on that side of the ball.
However, amid these circumstances, there’s an undeniable pattern of mishaps under Barry, which occur with alarming frequency.
Instances like Preston Smith being matched up against Davante Adams have raised concerns.
Additionally, the defense conceding 17 points on the first three drives to a struggling Pittsburgh Steelers offense and allowing 13 points to the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter highlights a pattern of numerous lapses in critical moments.
These lapses have been significant contributors to the team’s losses in 2023. Such issues have plagued more than one season.
Despite calls for Barry’s departure after 2022, Coach LaFleur retained him.
Many observers contend that the Packers’ defense won’t realize its full potential until Barry is no longer in charge.
While any mid-season changes are unlikely, his job status will undoubtedly become a focal point of scrutiny once the curtains close on the 2023 season for the Packers.
