The Green Bay Packers have made a decisive and experienced addition to their coaching staff, hiring former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich as their new defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator. This move comes as a direct response to the departure of defensive backs coach Ryan Downard to the Miami Dolphins, filling a critical vacancy on defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit with a highly-regarded candidate.
Babich, 42, brings a wealth of NFL experience and a proven track record of developing elite secondaries to Green Bay. His arrival signals a significant investment in overhauling the Packers’ pass defense, which has shown flashes of potential but lacked consistency. Notably, Babich was previously interviewed by head coach Matt LaFleur for the Packers’ defensive coordinator position in 2024 before the hiring of Hafley, establishing a clear pre-existing relationship and level of organizational respect.
This hiring is viewed by many as a coup for the Packers, securing a coach with recent defensive coordinator experience for a position role. Babich served as the Bills’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, following a stint as their linebackers coach and, crucially, several years as their safeties coach and defensive backs assistant. His background is deeply rooted in the secondary, making him an ideal fit for the task of mentoring Green Bay’s young defensive backfield.
The statistical impact of Babich’s work with defensive backs is compelling. During his tenure overseeing the Bills’ secondary from 2018 to 2021, Buffalo consistently fielded one of the league’s most formidable pass defenses. The unit ranked first in the NFL in passing yards allowed twice (2018, 2021) and finished in the top five in opponent passer rating three times in that four-year span. His developmental prowess is exemplified by players like Taron Johnson, a fourth-round pick who became a premier nickel corner, and Christian Benford, a sixth-round selection who developed into a reliable starter.
After a challenging 2024 season for the Bills’ defense, Babich orchestrated a dramatic rebound this past year, guiding the unit to a number one ranking in passing yards allowed. His ability to maximize player potential and scheme effectively within a broader defensive vision aligns perfectly with the Packers’ current objective of building a championship-caliber defense around their talented young core.
This appointment also creates one of the most experienced defensive coaching rooms in the league. With Hafley, Babich, potential holdover Derrick Ansley, and defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, the Packers now boast four coaches with defensive coordinator experience on staff. This concentration of strategic knowledge is expected to provide immense value in game planning and in-game adjustments, particularly for a division facing increasingly potent aerial attacks.
The focus for Babich will immediately turn to a Packers cornerback group in transition and a safety room featuring promising young talents like Javon Bullard and Evan Williams. His expertise is expected to accelerate their development and instill a new level of discipline and technique. Furthermore, his passing game coordinator title indicates he will have a direct hand in crafting the overall strategy to combat opposing quarterbacks, working in tight collaboration with Hafley.
While the search for a new linebackers coach continues, the acquisition of Bobby Babich represents a major victory for the Packers’ front office. It addresses a key area of need with a coach whose resume suggests an immediate upgrade and a clear strategic fit. For a team on the cusp of sustained contention, securing a teacher of Babich’s caliber to nurture its defensive foundation could prove to be a pivotal move this offseason.
The expectation within the organization will be for Babich to translate his success in Buffalo to Green Bay, forging a secondary that can create turnovers, limit explosive plays, and complement the team’s explosive offense. His hiring underscores a serious commitment to defensive excellence as the Packers prepare for a critical 2025 campaign. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this theoretical home run hire delivers the intended impact on the field come autumn.
