The Miami Dolphins have scooped up former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry, setting him up with a new gig as the team's linebackers coach and run-game coordinator. NFL Media reported that Barry, shown the door by the Packers after a less-than-stellar defensive showing in the past two seasons, landed in Miami to fill the spot left by Anthony Campanile.
Barry, 53, arrives in Miami amid a flurry of staff restructuring, with Anthony Weaver, previously of the Baltimore Ravens, assuming the role of defensive coordinator. Having spent four years directing the LA Rams linebackers and serving as assistant head coach before his stint in Green Bay, Barry adds a wealth of experience to the Dolphins’ defensive strategy. According to a report by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the team is eager to bolster their run defense, which has notably struggled in recent seasons.
Despite leading the Packers to a top-10 defensive finish in his first year, Barry's unit slumped to the 17th spot consecutively in 2022 and 2023. Particularly concerning was the Packers' run defense, ranked as low as 28th in the NFL last season, a statistic that Barry will be under pressure to improve for the Dolphins. Prior to his work with the Packers, Barry's resume includes various NFL and college football positions, giving him insights into a spectrum of defensive strategies.
His hiring in Miami is the latest of several major moves. With Campanile’s exit after a four-year tenure, Barry has large shoes to fill, taking charge of a group of linebackers in need of direction. And when it comes to threading the needle between a sagging run defense and the expectations for a revival, Barry's expertise, gained beside figures like Sean McVay, could be the key. His time with powerhouse coaching staffs could help shepherd the Dolphins back towards competitiveness in the run game.
