After two seasons as the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley was hired as the Miami Dolphins’ new head coach earlier this week. Hafley has prior head-coaching experience at Boston College, and one of his most prominent qualities with the Packers was his ability to command the locker room and build relationships with his players.
Now, he’ll take his talents to the Dolphins, to try to turn around a Dolphins team that’s missed the playoffs for two straight years.
What Was Jeff Hafley’s Message To the Packers?
Hafley spent seven years in the NFL as a defensive backs coach, but got his first coordinating role in Green Bay, and he made sure to thank head coach Matt LaFleur and his players.
“I want to thank Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers. The last two years have been two of the best of my life,” Hafley said at his Dolphins’ introductory press conference.
“I also want to thank those players there. In two years, we got real close, I mean really close. The love, the connection, the support. It was hard to say goodbye to those guys.”
“But the phone calls and the texts, you guys, meant everything to me. I love you. I wish you the best, other than when we come to Lambeau next year.”
The Dolphins will travel to Green Bay in 2026, but the date has yet to be determined. The Packers will play the entire AFC East division next season. In Hafley’s two seasons in Green Bay, the Packers’ defense ranked No. 11 and No. 17 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact. However, the Packers’ Defense Impact Score in 2024 (78.7) was their highest since 2019.
The Packers’ defense looked unstoppable at times this past season, but injuries hurt them down the stretch. Green Bay gave up an average of 27.5 points per game in the final four games of the season without edge rusher Micah Parsons or defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt.
While Hafley is starting a new journey with the Dolphins, it didn’t stop him from wishing LaFleur the best in Green Bay. “He’s a great football coach. He’s a great friend,” Hafley said. “He’s gonna have continued great success.”
While each team’s opponents for the 2026 season have been set, the dates have yet to be announced. As mentioned above, the AFC East and NFC North will each play each other next season. However, we’ll have to wait and see when Hafley’s reunion in Green Bay will take place.
