A seismic shift is rippling through the NFC North as the Green Bay Packers move swiftly to address a critical coaching vacancy while a key division rival faces a sudden, destabilizing front-office shakeup. The Packers, forced into action by the departure of a valued assistant, are targeting one of the league’s most intriguing young offensive minds, signaling an aggressive approach to maintaining their offensive prowess.
The search for a new quarterbacks coach is officially underway in Green Bay after the Philadelphia Eagles successfully poached Shawn Manion to become their offensive coordinator. This loss, while anticipated, creates a vital opening on Matt LaFleur’s staff, charged with the continued development of Jordan Love. The Packers are not looking inward for a simple replacement but are casting a wide net.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Green Bay and the Buffalo Bills have both requested interviews with Arizona Cardinals pass game specialist Connor Sanger for their respective quarterback coach positions. Sanger, just 30 years old, represents a dynamic and forward-thinking candidate. His rapid rise through the coaching ranks and diverse background have made him a hot commodity this hiring cycle.
Sanger’s profile is particularly fascinating for the Packers. He boasts deep Wisconsin roots, having coached at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Carroll University, and UW-Whitewater, and played his college football in the state. His recent trajectory is even more compelling: after a stint in offensive quality control at North Dakota State—a program renowned for developing NFL quarterbacks—he joined the Cardinals in 2022 and ascended from a Bill Bidwill Fellowship to passing game coordinator in just four seasons.
This potential hire underscores LaFleur’s desire to inject new ideas into the offensive room. While internal candidate Luke Getsy, the current offensive assistant, remains a fallback option, the proactive pursuit of Sanger demonstrates a clear intent to explore all avenues. LaFleur’s reputation as an innovative offensive leader is a powerful draw for ambitious coaches like Sanger, who would have the opportunity to shape the next phase of a championship-caliber offense.
While the Packers work to fortify their staff, the landscape of the NFC North has been abruptly altered. In a stunning move, the Minnesota Vikings have fired General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. This decision sends shockwaves through the division, coming just one season after the Vikings awarded Adofo-Mensah a contract extension, ostensibly solidifying his long-term vision for the franchise.
For Packers fans, this development is a double-edged sword. While instability in Minnesota is generally beneficial for Green Bay’s competitive prospects, Adofo-Mensah’s dismissal removes a significant source of that instability. His tenure was largely defined by poor draft performance, a critical failure for any NFL executive tasked with building a sustainable contender.
A review of Adofo-Mensah’s draft classes reveals a pattern of missed opportunities and underwhelming returns. Beyond first-round selections like Jordan Addison and Dallas Turner, the Vikings’ drafts have yielded little foundational talent. High-profile misses, including the trade-up for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who struggled mightily as a rookie, and a general lack of impact players from the middle rounds, crippled the team’s ability to build a deep, cost-controlled roster.
This failure to construct through the draft created a roster with a cracked foundation, reliant on free agency and trades to patch holes. The inability to sustain success through collegiate talent acquisition is a primary reason the Vikings now find themselves searching for new leadership. For Green Bay, a division rival with a perceived drafting advantage has just removed a key weakness from its organizational structure.
The ripple effects continue with the Chicago Bears, where offensive continuity is now in question. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Baltimore Ravens have expressed interest in Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle for their vacant play-caller position. Doyle has been instrumental in Chicago’s offensive resurgence and the development of quarterback Caleb Williams alongside head coach Ben Johnson.
His potential departure would represent a significant blow to the Bears’ offensive stability. While insider Brad Biggs suggests Doyle may choose to remain in Chicago for another season—he previously withdrew from the Eagles’ offensive coordinator search—the mere possibility of his exit is a subplot the Packers are monitoring closely. Any attrition of coaching talent from a divisional opponent weakens their preparation and potential for repeated success.
As the NFL offseason accelerates, the Packers are positioned proactively. Their targeted search for a quarterbacks coach like Connor Sanger reflects a commitment to evolution and fresh perspective. Simultaneously, the upheaval in Minnesota and potential volatility in Chicago present a shifting divisional dynamic that Green Bay must navigate.
The coming days will be crucial. The interview with Sanger will be a key test, determining if the Packers can sell him on their vision over Buffalo’s. His decision could shape the offensive direction for years to come. Meanwhile, the Vikings’ GM search begins, a process that will define the future competitiveness of a historic rival.
In a league where stagnation is failure, the Packers are moving with purpose. The mission is clear: reinforce a championship-caliber operation from within while capitalizing on the uncertainty now engulfing their closest competitors. The battle for the NFC North in 2026 is being shaped not on the field, but in these very front offices and interview rooms, and Green Bay intends to win it.
