The Green Bay Packers let go defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich following the 2024 season, and Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley are already hunting for a replacement. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers will interview New York Jets defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton for the position.
Rebrovich is out after the Packers struggled to consistently pressure the quarterback this past season.
Whitecotton has spent the last four seasons as the defensive line coach in New York. He was the assistant defensive line coach under Robert Saleh with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 and then moved with Saleh to the Jets in 2021.
Whitecotton also coached defensive line as an assistant at NFL stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars (with Saleh) and Buffalo Bills before joining the 49ers.
While with the Jets, Whitecotton coached talents such as Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Bryce Huff and Will McDonald IV. Williams was an All-Pro, Johnson made a Pro Bowl, McDonald just had an impressive second season and Franklin-Myers and Huff both enjoyed their best seasons, all working under Whitecotton.
Saleh, who was fired by the Jets after a 2-3 start in 2024, spent the rest of the regular season as a consultant for LaFleur and the Packers. Considering the connection and personal relationship between LaFleur and Saleh, there’s little doubt that the two have discussed Whitecotton’s ability to coach the defensive line and potential fit under Hafley in Green Bay.
The Packers need more consistency and disruption from the front four in 2025. If hired, Whitecotton would be expected to get more out of a group that includes Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt and Lukas Van Ness, all first-round picks. Whitecotton’s coaching record suggests he’s ideally suited for coaching a group featuring so much high-end talent.
