The Green Bay Packers have fired embattled defensive coordinator Joe Barry, according to multiple reports.
The firing came two days after Packers head coach Matt LaFleur declined to comment on Barry’s job status and said he was “going to go through the process at my own pace.”
The Packers struggled defensively in their third season under Barry, finishing tied for 17th in total defense and 28th in rushing defense in 2023.
Barry was heavily scrutinized after a Week 15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who scored 34 points and gained 452 yards of offense in Green Bay. LaFleur backed Barry at the time, saying that he would not make any defensive coaching changes during the season.
The Packers followed that up with another defensive dud in their Week 16 victory over the lowly Carolina Panthers, who scored a season-high 30 points and racked up 394 yards of total offense.
NFL Network first reported the Packers’ decision to fire Barry on Wednesday.
Barry, who was hired in 2021 to replace Mike Pettine, also came under fire last season in large part because of the Packers’ inability to stop the run.
Barry has worked as an NFL assistant coach since 2000 and also has served as a defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions (2007-08) and Washington Commanders (2015-2016).