Miami Coach Cheers for Packers' Parsons, But Not as Much Now

Hafley still believes Parsons will break sack record, but now as a rival coach

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:40pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the abstract forms of football players in teal, orange, and green, representing the complex dynamics between a coach and a star player as they face off as division rivals.A cubist interpretation of the shifting loyalties between a coach and a star player as they become division rivals.Today in Miami

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, says he still believes Packers linebacker Micah Parsons will break the NFL's single-season sack record, but now that Hafley is coaching against Parsons, he won't be cheering for him quite as much.

Why it matters

This story highlights the complex relationships and shifting loyalties that can emerge when coaches change teams in the NFL. Hafley's previous connection to Parsons and the Packers adds an interesting personal dynamic to their upcoming matchups as division rivals.

The details

Hafley was the defensive coordinator for the Packers when they drafted Parsons in 2023. He believes Parsons has the talent to break the single-season sack record, but now that Hafley is the head coach of the Dolphins, he won't be rooting for Parsons to achieve that feat against his own team.

  • Hafley was the Packers' defensive coordinator in 2023 when they drafted Parsons.
  • Hafley is now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, making Parsons and the Packers division rivals.

The players

Jeff Hafley

The current head coach of the Miami Dolphins, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.

Micah Parsons

The star linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, who Hafley believes has the potential to break the NFL's single-season sack record.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of reasons,”

— Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins Head Coach

The takeaway

This story highlights the complex dynamics that can emerge when coaches change teams in the NFL, as personal connections and loyalties can shift, even for star players like Micah Parsons.