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Head coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears.
The Chicago Bears hired Al Harris in 2025 to coach their defensive backs, betting that the hard-nosed former Pro Bowl corner could sharpen a young secondary the way he did in Dallas. It was a solid bet.
Harris arrived in Chicago after a long run coaching the Cowboys’ secondary. Since joining the Bears, he has served as both defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, and he’s made quite a difference.
Harris has been a huge reason why the Bears finished the regular season leading the league in interceptions (23), and he was also instrumental in cornerback Nahshon Wright’s breakout campaign. A former player himself (he played 15 years in the league, the majority of which were spent with the rival Green Bay Packers), Harris may start to get interest from other teams, potentially as a defensive coordinator candidate.
If the Packers find themselves shopping for a defensive coordinator next offseason — and with Jeff Hafley getting interviews for a head coaching job in the 2026 cycle, that’s a definite possibility — Harris is a candidate that would make loads of sense to replace him.
Why Al Harris Could Be Strong Candidate to Be Replacement for Jeff Hafley as Next Packers DC
GettyDefensive backs coach Al Harris of the Chicago Bears could be a candidate for Packers DC if Jeff Hafley gets a head coaching gig.
So far, according to NBC Sports, the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans have all requested permission to interview Hafley for their respective head coach vacancies.
If he lands one of those jobs — and he very well could — poaching Harris from Chicago would both weaken the Bears coaching staff while also giving the Packers a promising new DC.
On the January 6 episode of his House of L podcast, 670 The Score’s Laurence Holmes laid out why it’s possible the Packers might want Harris as their next DC.
“I don’t think he’s leaving, but it’s fair to wonder if someone is going to tap him on the shoulder and say, would you like to be our defensive coordinator? For example, if Jeff Halfley gets one of these head coaching jobs, wouldn’t he be the logical person to bring in to help Green Bay — especially now that Trevon Diggs is up there?”
That’s a great point by Holmes. The Packers signed Diggs after his release from the Cowboys toward the end of the regular season, where he had worked with Harris previously.
“He would be the logical person to put in that role,” Holmes added. “I only say that to say he’s gotten a lot of trust from fans of this team, from players on this team, from the other coaches on the staff, and from football at large.”
Harris’ Ties to Green Bay Are Strong
Harris spent seven seasons playing in Green Bay, getting named to two Pro Bowls and earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2007. He was a fan favorite there, and there’s no doubt many Cheeseheads would cheer his return.
The Packers also have him in their Hall of Fame, so he’s already a big part of franchise history.
For Chicago, losing Harris would be a definite blow. He knows the division well and has shown he can get the best out of his DBs.
Watching Harris land in Green Bay to coach the defense that will be trying to rattle Caleb Williams twice a year would absolutely sting, there’s no doubt.
Hafley becoming a head coach is not a given, but the pathway is certainly there. If he leaves, keep an eye on Harris as a replacement.
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