Jan. 28, 2026, 10:58 a.m. CT
The Green Bay Packers are hiring former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich as the team’s new defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Derrick Ansley has served as the Packers pass game coordinator over the last two seasons. The Packers are also attempting to replace defensive backs coach Ryan Downard, who is expected to follow Jeff Hafley to the Miami Dolphins.
Babich, 42, joined the NFL as a coach in 2011 and now has 14 seasons of experience at the assistant level. He’s been with the Bills in various roles since the 2017 season, including the last two seasons as defensive coordinator under Sean McDermott.
Matt LaFleur reportedly interviewed Babich while looking for a defensive coordinator in 2024. Babich eventually stayed in Buffalo as coordinator, and LaFleur hired Hafley.
Babich gives new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon an ascending young coach who has coordinated a defense and brings experience as both a linebackers coach and secondary coach to the defensive staff.
Babich’s time with the Bills includes a stint as assistant defensive backs coach (2017), safeties coach (2018-21), linebackers coach (2022-23) and defensive coordinator (2024-25). Last season, the Bills ranked seventh in yards allowed, 12th in points allowed and 15th in takeaways. In 2024, Babich’s first season as coordinator, the Bills ranked 11th in points and third in takeaways.
Babich played defensive back collegiately at North Dakota State under his father, Bob Babich, a long-time football coach who was once a defensive coordinator for both the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prior to working for the Bills, Babich spent four seasons coaching defensive backs at Eastern Illinois (2007-10), two seasons coaching defensive backs with the Carolina Panthers (2011-12) and three seasons coaching defensive backs with the Cleveland Browns (2013-15). He also spent one season as a defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator at FIU in 2016.
About the Author
