Packers Make Coaching Staff, Front Office Changes

NFL Network is reporting that Packers General Manager Ted Thompson will be “transitioning to a new role” with the team and will be stepping down from the General Manager position. NFL’s Ian Rapoport cited sources within the league that Thompson is out and the team will begin searching for a new GM. More to come on this story as it develops.

NFL.com and ESPN reported today that Dom Capers has been fired as the Packers Defensive Coordinator. The move comes after Sunday’s 35-11 loss to Detroit in the season finale to drop the Packers to 7-9, their first losing season since 2008. Capers’ defense helped the Packers win Super Bowl 45 following the 2010 season with a top-five ranked total defense, but it has been a steep decline since then. Green Bay ranked 26th in scoring in 2017, 22nd in yards allowed, 23rd in passing yards, 17th versus the run and 17th in sacks.

Two NFC North coaches were among the ones who lost their jobs on “Black Monday”, the day after the regular season where coaching changes are often made by teams. John Fox of the Bears and Jim Caldwell of the Lions both were fired Monday, and are two of the six coaching jobs in the league that are open following the season. Indianapolis’ Chuck Pagano and Oakland’s Jack Del Rio were let go Sunday following their games. Those four join New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo, who was fired with four games left in the season. Meanwhile, Arizona head coach Bruce Arians announced his retirement on Monday after five seasons with the team.