New NFL Rumors on 'Frontrunner' for Dolphins HC Job, Packers' Coaching Staff

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley reportedly has emerged as the frontrunner for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, "no final decisions" have been made, and Hafley has received requests for second interviews from four other teams, but he is the person to beat in the Dolphins' head coaching search.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins announced on Sunday that they had completed an interview with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. The team also interviewed Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham on Monday.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo added that since the Packers expect Hafley to land a head coaching job, they have begun searching for potential replacements at defensive coordinator.

Hafley, 46, has spent the past two seasons as Green Bay's DC under head coach Matt LaFleur.

The Packers ranked fifth in total defense and sixth in scoring defense in 2024, and while they dropped to 12th in total defense and 11th in scoring defense this season, losing superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons to a torn ACL played a significant role in the Green Bay defense struggling down the stretch.

While Hafley has never been an NFL head coach, he does have high-level head coaching experience, which makes him a unique candidate.

From 2020 to 2023, Hafley was the head football coach at Boston College, going 22-26. He led the Eagles to bowl eligibility in three of his four seasons at the helm.

Hafley is a defensive-minded coach, but four the past four seasons, the Dolphins had an offensive guru in Mike McDaniel as their head coach.

McDaniel led the Dolphins to a 35-33 record, but after reaching the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, they finished below .500 and missed the playoffs in each of the past two campaigns.

▶️ Full Dolphins-Patriots Recap

06:15

Miami went from ranking first in total offense and second in scoring offense in 2023 to 26th in total offense and 25th in scoring offense this season. Much of that had to do with the struggles and eventual benching of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

The quarterback situation is something that the new head coach and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will have to figure out in order for the team to bounce back in 2026 and beyond.

While quarterback is a question mark in Miami, Hafley's history of defensive success suggests that he would at least be able to help the Dolphins improve on their 22nd-place finish in total defense and 24th-place finish in scoring defense from this season.