Sportsnaut
When looking ahead to the 2026 NFL season, analysts often highlight players who will break out this fall. As Green Bay Packers training camp approaches, one assistant coach has been named a potential breakout candidate.
The Athletic‘s Jordan Rodrigue recently highlighted one assistant coach on every team who could break out in 2026. On the Packers coaching staff, she chose assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach DeMarcus Covington.
“Covington has a really strong coaching background — seven seasons working under Bill Belichick and other New England assistants, including Brian Flores when he was the Patriots’ DC — and was retained in Green Bay by new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon on his arrival in 2026. Covington has also received interest for defensive coordinator openings in previous years, but may get more recognition in 2026, with curious eyes wondering how the Packers’ defense will fare both without Micah Parsons and after Parsons returns from his 2025 injury.”
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue on Green Bay Packers coach DeMarcus Covington
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Covington, 37, joined the Packers coaching staff last year as defensive line coach and run game coordinator under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. When Hafley left to become the Miami Dolphins head coach and brought several assistants with him, Green Bay retained Covington as outside linebackers coach and added assistant head coach–defense to his title.
The long-time NFL assistant certainly plays a critical role on Green Bay’s coaching staff this year. With Micah Parsons (ACL tear) sidelined until at least October, Green Bay needs other pass rushers to step up. Rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton and second-year edge rushers Collin Oliver and Barryn Sorrell will all get their opportunities in training camp, and one of them needs to have a strong summer for the Packers to feel better about their pass-rushing depth entering the season.
One other member of the Packers coaching staff to highlight for a potential breakout year is wide receivers coach Noah Pauley. Formerly a top wide receivers coach in college, Pauley could prove instrumental in the development of second-year wide receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.
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