Packers Hire Former Cardinals Assistant

The Packers hired Greg Williams on Wednesday, less than a week after Jerry Gray left for Atlanta. The former Arizona cornerbacks coach will be handed the task of getting the most out of a position group that includes a pair of No. 1 draft picks.

The 46-year-old Williams began his coaching career with the Chargers before going to the Colts, Broncos, and Cards. His greatest influence is longtime defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, whom he followed from Denver to Arizona in 2019.

It’s impossible to predict how any assistant coach will perform with a new team, but it would be hard to consider this an upgrade. Despite a disappointing season by the corners in 2022, Gray is very well-regarded around the NFL. That’s why at least two teams interviewed him when his contract with the Packers expired last month. As for Williams, he was allowed to seek employment elsewhere after Kliff Kingsbury was fired, even though Joseph has yet to be given the same freedom.

We’ll probably never know if Williams was Matt LaFleur’s first choice, but it’s safe to assume working under Joe Barry wasn’t viewed as a particularly appealing opportunity for available defensive coaches with options. That’s because the embattled coordinator lacks job security entering the final year of his contract. If that side of the ball doesn’t improve significantly, it’s difficult to imagine Barry getting a fourth season in Green Bay, which would mean uncertainty for his assistants.

Williams will be tasked with getting better performances out of a talented but underachieving group of corners. While Jaire Alexander was named to his second All-Pro team, young Eric Stokes regressed in his second season, and veteran Rasul Douglas wasn’t the same player who came out of nowhere in 2021 to intercept five passes and earn consideration for the Pro Bowl. How much of a difference Williams, or any position coach for that matter, can make is open to debate. Alexander and Douglas questioned how they were being used on multiple occasions, and that’s more about Barry than anything else.

In his decade coaching cornerbacks in the NFL, Williams has worked with a handful of quality veterans (Darius Butler, Vontae Davis, Patrick Peterson, Patrick Robinson, and Bradley Roby), but those players were already established upon his arrival. The only cornerback truly developed by Williams was Byron Murphy Jr., a second-round draft pick in 2019 who was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl this season. And make of this what you will, but defenses that Williams was a part of finished 29th, 4th, 14th, 27th, 28th, 20th, 31st, 10th, 7th, and 24th in passing yards allowed from 2013 to 2022.

Williams is also expected to replace Gray as passing game coordinator, although that’s not official. LaFleur will meet with the local media at the NFL Scouting Combine later this month, where he’ll undoubtedly discuss changes to the staff.
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4 comments

Dale February 11, 2023 1:57 pm

Disgusting hire, Lafleur is making the type of mistakes that will cost him his job within two years, and I doubt he’ll ever get another head coaching jobs. It’s a disgrace to continue wasting talent with ass clown coaching hires and decisions.

Michael Rodney February 11, 2023 2:55 pm

Williams isn’t a particularly inspiring choice, but he’s certainly not a disgusting hire. His resume’ is decent. If the defense underperforms again next season, it won’t be because of the guy coaching the corners.

Dale February 11, 2023 9:28 pm

I can respect that Michael, but as you’ve pointed out previously, Murphy wants his money, but he doesn’t want to pay top dollar for the best coaches. I believe strongly that Lafleur is a honest and decent man. I respect him… heck I even like him. Something I couldn’t say about McCarthy. Anyway, I digress, point is that Berry is an ass-clowm. No business being a DC. I’m extremely disappointed in a great many things. I remember the dark years of the 70’s and 80’s. I know how important continue winning is to our beloved team. I am worn out with Rodgers and his nonsense. I hope we trade his arse and get as much extra talent as possible. Give Love a chance. It’s a gamble but one worth taking. As for Williams I hope he’s better than I am thinking. In fact I hope he’s all world. Nevertheless, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m a fan and owner who has no voice. In the end, I will always love my team and support them win or lose. But I also will always believe Murphy, Gutey and Lafleur have no business holding the positions they currently have. They’re going to return his to the dark days of the 70′ when we were happy to win 8 games. Sad commentary….

Tom M February 12, 2023 12:59 pm

Aaron Rodgers is what he is. A tremendous stat collector and a regular season game winner. He’s had multiple opportunities to rise above and become a true champion in the post season. He has failed. Blaming Gutekunst, Murphy, McCarthy, Barry, Kevin King, and Darnell Savage seems misguided to me. I predict Williams will be no better, or worse than the man who he replaced. Our four game win streak was largely due to the emergence of Christian Watson and Keisean Nixon AND a defense that had 8 turnovers in four games. It was Brian Gutekunst’s drafting and personnel moves, along with Joe Barry’s defense that kept us in playoff contention. At this stage, Aaron Rodgers was pretty much just along for the ride. I get the frustration but it starts with Aaron Rodgers. We don’t win 39 games in three years without Gutekunst’s drafting and FA signings. Murphy has done what Bob Harlan did. He hired football people to run the organization while he stayed on the business side of things. Neither Gutekunst or Murphy have been perfect but Aaron Rodgers has been exceedingly difficult to work with despite his many talents.

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