Jerry Gray leaves Packers to join Falcons

Green Bay's defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator had been on Matt LaFleur's staff since 2020. 

The Packers are losing their defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator in Jerry Gray, who has accepted a position on Arthur Smith's staff in Atlanta. 

Gray had reportedly reached the end of his contract with the Packers. There's no word on whether or not Matt LaFleur and his defensive coordinator, Joe Barry, made any kind of attempt to keep Gray in Green Bay. 

Prior to his time with the Packers, Gray was the defensive backs coach in Minnesota for six seasons. He's also been a defensive coordinator twice, having led the defense for both the Titans and Bills. 

This past May, Gray represented the Packers at the NFL's inaugural Coach and Front Office Accelerator in Atlanta, which brought together 60 diverse head coach and general manager prospects from all clubs.

As for the Packers going forward, Matt LaFleur could either promote from within, such as possibly expanding safeties coach Ryan Downard's responsibilities, or look outside the building while many coaches are making the rounds interviewing for new opportunities. 

 

 

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1 points
 

Comments (26)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Hannahrm's picture

January 28, 2023 at 09:34 pm

How about some Jim Leonard action? DB coach and DC in waiting, once the Barry experiment reaches its expiration date.

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SinceLombardi's picture

January 29, 2023 at 05:57 am

It’s past the date

6 points
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dobber's picture

January 29, 2023 at 03:03 pm

Seems like an obvious pairing...and it's been decidedly quiet with Leonhard, who should be in demand--at least on the college level.

3 points
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13TimeChamps's picture

January 29, 2023 at 03:19 pm

My thoughts as well. It's obvious that Leonhard is the consensus favorite on this site, but I struggle to understand why exactly. Has ANY other NFL team, other than the Packers, reached out to him for any available coaching openings? He was passed over for the Badgers HC position. For whatever reason, he doesn't seem to be in great demand, certainly on the NFL level anyway. It would be interesting to find out why.

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splitpea1's picture

January 28, 2023 at 09:57 pm

No promotions from within. Downard has experience as an assistant DB and safeties coach, but whether that's enough for a promotion I'm not sure. This is an important job, so it's imperative that MLF perform his due diligence and not be seduced by familiarity.

14 points
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PatrickGB's picture

January 29, 2023 at 10:33 am

My thoughts exactly. But who is out there? Probably some fired coach or someone Matt knows from some other stop.

0 points
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jurp's picture

January 29, 2023 at 10:48 am

"it's imperative that MLF perform his due diligence and not be seduced by familiarity."

I agree with you, but I don't think that LaFuckup knows what "due diligence' actually means. He'll promote from within or hire one his own or one of Barry's buddies.

1 points
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NickPerry's picture

January 29, 2023 at 06:29 am

Well shit, they just lost their BEST Defensive Coach.

NO, please DO NOT promote from within. Hannahrm suggested Jim Leonard. I'd be down with that although I wonder if Leonard would. It's too bad MLF didn't fire Barry the moment the season ended and went after Leonard again. A day late and a dollar short will be just one of the MLF mantra's once he's finally gone.

15 points
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jurp's picture

January 29, 2023 at 10:52 am

LaFuckup's complete lack of self-awareness regarding is own weaknesses, his lack of strategic thinking, and his complete lack of analytical ability are appalling. "LaFleur's Three Lacks", so to speak.

2 points
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Johnblood27's picture

January 29, 2023 at 08:32 am

Well, at least one person in GB has voted with their feet on the Joe Barry referendum...

11 points
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Since'61's picture

January 29, 2023 at 11:32 am

The best are always the first to go because they are the ones who are smart to realize enough to that the ship may not be sinking but that it is definitely beginning to leak and the the Captain and other ship's officers aren't paying attention.

I'm thinking about that guy on the Titanic who said, "I ordered ice for my drink but this is ridiculous."

Thanks, Since '61

5 points
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Slim11's picture

January 29, 2023 at 07:11 pm

Two things…

First, Gray gets the promotion to DC. Good for him! Bad for the Packers because that just about guarantees a third season of a Joe Barry defense. I hope he told the Packers the reason he’s going to Atlanta IS Joe Barry!

Two…who, amongst MLF’s circle of friends, replaces Gray?

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

January 30, 2023 at 02:41 am

Gray wasn't promoted though. Atlanta has a Defensive Coordinator. This is a lateral move, though there might be some titles and salary increases.

2 points
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Since'61's picture

January 29, 2023 at 08:40 am

How the Packers go about replacing Johnnie Gray should be fun to watch. Bumbling, Fumbling, Rumbling, Stumbling. Thanks, Since '61

10 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

January 29, 2023 at 11:02 am

Maybe the guy gets a 15 min Interview at the airport and they bring him onboard.

1 points
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Since'61's picture

January 29, 2023 at 11:29 am

I thinking a cup of coffee should do it. The decision will be based upon how he likes his coffee. Based on what we have seen from previous hiring decisions I doubt that they have any actual criteria for their hiring choices.
Thanks, Since '61

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

January 29, 2023 at 11:24 am

Who would want to be Barry’s deputy? Is LaFleur a draw or a disincentive on top of that? Surely both could be seen as questionable long term.

4 points
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Since'61's picture

January 29, 2023 at 11:26 am

LaChooch and Barry should both be on their third envelope for the 2023 season. Thanks, Since '61

2 points
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PatrickGB's picture

January 29, 2023 at 10:30 am

Last I read was that they were “working on a deal”. So, has he actually been hired?

1 points
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harleycops's picture

January 29, 2023 at 11:21 am

Why does LaFloozey always have to promote from within. Get some gonads and make a hire that will ramp up the DBs, someone who can kick butt and create a first-line Dbackfield. This from within stuff is only an attempt to keep the "yes" men on staff so LFl doesn't have to change much when an objective opinion comes from a new coach. Gray was good and now gone. Barry is bad and now remains. Why?

5 points
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Turophile's picture

January 29, 2023 at 01:23 pm

I'd say the wrong guy has gone. I'd rather have Gray than Barry, as DC (and we know they clashed over how the D was run).

the Packers must reverse the trend of getting worse as we replace guys that are promoted elsewhere............... and keeping coaches no-one else wants.

5 points
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Johnblood27's picture

January 29, 2023 at 01:53 pm

I totally get the promote from within philosophy.

But...

In this day and age when coaches seem to only stay 2 years or so, how do they gain the necessary experience to have a successful skill set to advance?

If a guy has only been with the staff for less than 3 years, he can be a candidate for an opening above him, but shouldn't always be a slam dunk hire.

The loyalty to "your" staff is a noble feature, but with one and two year wonders why the blind loyalty? Have they proven THEIR loyalty? IMO the answer is NO.

At least interview a few candidates from outside the organization for each hire that comes open. That is simply good due diligence.

This organization is sick and sinking fast. Maybe Monarch Mark should have done a few more interviews before jamming a HC down Guteys throat.

4 points
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NJ-RICK's picture

January 29, 2023 at 03:08 pm

I don't blame him this team is on a downward spiral... Without talented veteran WR's & TE's this team is going no where. Doesn't matter who the QB is AR12 or Love the team lacks talented ball players on O&D. Clean out the people in the front office this is there mess...

1 points
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coolhand's picture

January 29, 2023 at 05:14 pm

Gray is smart and gets out while the gettin' is good before his rep is completely destroyed working under Barry.

5 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

January 30, 2023 at 11:31 am

LMAO... I should've read this one before I commented. (Great minds think alike!)

0 points
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BirdDogUni's picture

January 30, 2023 at 10:57 am

Gray getting, while the getting is good...

Don't blame him a bit.

1 points
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