While there is some level of criticism over head coach Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff this season, the perception around what the Green Bay Packers have built is completely different around the league.
Seven Packers assistants made Tom Pelissero’s traditional list of young and rising coaches who could ascend in the NFL over the past few years.
And there’s more: The list doesn’t include defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, because he’s already 46, but he is still the most natural and strong candidate for the next hiring cycle.
Offensive Side
Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, 42, was mentioned by Pelissero on NFL.com as a potential candidate for the next cycle.
An All-Big Ten offensive lineman at Michigan who bounced around for parts of five NFL seasons, Stenavich returned to pro football as the 49ers’ assistant offensive line coach in 2017 and then the Packers as OL coach in 2019,” Pelissero wrote.
“He handles most of Green Bay’s run game and works with not only the offensive line, but the quarterbacks, too.”
“The Green Bay offense has scuffled recently amidst a rash of injuries to key players. But Matt LaFleur considers Stenavich an invaluable asset, and he’s already on the radar.”
“Stenavich got an interview for the Bears’ head-coaching job last year, in addition to multiple interviews for play-calling OC jobs. He’ll remain in the mix.”
Two other offensive assistants on the list, but as future considerations, are senior assistant Luke Getsy and quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion.
Getsy has already left Green Bay to be a play-calling offensive coordinator on the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders, but returned during last season.
Mannion is a former NFL quarterback who started his coaching career last season as an offensive assistant, but was promoted after Tom Clements retired.
Stenavich has been with the Packers since 2019, the same year LaFleur became head coach.
He began as the offensive line coach, then run game coordinator, and has now been the OC since 2022.
In 2024, Stenavich had the Packers playing well, and the offense was the fifth-best in the NFL.
Defensive Pieces
While Jeff Hafley is the most obvious candidate, the rest of the defensive staff also has a list of future candidates.
Pelissero mentioned passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley, DL coach/run game coordinator DeMarcus Covington, defensive backs coach Ryan Downard, and linebackers coach Sean Duggan.
Ansley, for the Chargers, and Covington, for the Patriots, have already had experiences as defensive coordinators.
Hafley joined the Green Bay Packers in 2025, bringing fresh ideas and energy to the defense.
He previously served as head coach at Boston College, where he built a reputation for developing defensive backs and creating aggressive game plans.
The Packers have built a strong foundation behind Matt LaFleur, with several young pieces to work with an also young roster of players.
This depth of coaching talent could create challenges for Green Bay moving forward.
As these assistants gain recognition around the league, other teams may come calling with head coaching or coordinator opportunities.
The Packers will need to decide whether to promote from within or search externally if they lose key staff members.
LaFleur’s coaching tree continues to grow, much like those of Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay before him.
Several former Packers assistants have already moved on to coordinator positions elsewhere, and this next wave could follow suit.
Stenavich’s journey from player to offensive coordinator shows the kind of dedication needed to succeed at the highest level.
His ability to develop offensive linemen and work with quarterbacks has made him invaluable to the organization.
The Packers’ offensive system uses motion extensively, shifting players before the snap to create confusion and identify defensive coverages.
Zone-blocking schemes on running plays allow offensive linemen to use angles and positioning rather than just raw power.
The development of Jordan Love has been central to the offense’s evolution in 2025.
Love has grown tremendously under Stenavich’s guidance, learning to read defenses quickly and make decisive throws.
Stenavich emphasizes creating easy completions for Love to build confidence and rhythm.
The offense often starts with quick passes and screen plays before taking shots downfield as the game progresses.
Analytics play an important role in modern play-calling for the Packers coaching staff.
They study data on opponent tendencies, success rates of different plays, and situational trends.
Working under LaFleur has shaped Stenavich’s coaching philosophy significantly.
LaFleur has spoken about how Stenavich has grown into his role, taking ownership of the offense while still collaborating closely with the head coach.
Player morale and locker room culture are often overlooked aspects of coaching.
Stenavich has earned respect from players by being approachable, honest, and consistent.
The future looks bright for the Green Bay Packers with strong leadership throughout the coaching staff.
Whether Stenavich remains in Green Bay long-term or eventually becomes an NFL head coach elsewhere, his impact on the organization will be remembered.
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