SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Mike Pettine appears to be ready to stick it to the Green Bay Packers, as he’s joined the team’s most-hated rival.
Former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has wasted no time in finding a new job, but fans from his previous team aren’t going to like where he’s headed. That’s because Pettine, who the team parted ways with this offseason, is headed to the Chicago Bears.
It was reported on Wednesday that the veteran coach indeed has made the jump to Green Bay’s NFC North rival. While he was free to sign with anyone, this move certainly has to sting a little bit for the Packers’ front office.
Mike Pettine joining the Chicago Bears is not going to make Packers supporters happy
When the 2020 campaign wrapped up, Pettine’s contract also ended with the Packers. The team made the decision to not bring him back as defensive coordinator, hiring Joe Barry to replace him in running the defense.
Now, Pettine might look to stick it to his former employer, as he’ll be joining the Bears as a senior defensive assistant and work under Chicago’s new defensive coordinator Sean Desai. While Pettine didn’t land a new DC gig, being able to work with the Bears’ superstars on defense is a pretty sweet deal.
Pettine also has plenty of experience and success as a coach. Last season, Green Bay finished ninth in total defense under Pettine’s direction. Still, head coach Matt LaFleur must have thought it was time for a fresh start on defense, which is why the team went out and brought in Barry.
Plenty of changes are coming on the coaching sidelines in the NFC North. Now, we’ll all have to get used to seeing Pettine rocking Bears gear and not his usual Packers stuff.