Packers parting ways with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine

The Green Bay Packers won 13 of 16 regular-season games and earned a postseason bye but fell to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a home NFC Championship Game. 

That one loss may have been enough for Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur to go in a different direction. 

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero (h/t Jelani Scott) reported that Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is out of contract and won't be brought back for the 2021 campaign. Pettine's departure had been rumored throughout the week after his defense surrendered four touchdowns in less than two-and-a-half quarters of action versus Tampa Bay last Sunday. 

The worst mistake made by Pettine's unit came when Brady connected with wide receiver Scotty Miller on a 39-yard touchdown pass on Tampa Bay's final offensive play before halftime. While the defense did well to stifle Brady and company for the bulk of the second half, Green Bay couldn't complete a comeback and punch a ticket to the Super Bowl. 

Previously, Pettine worked as defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills and then as Cleveland Browns head coach from 2014-15. He joined the Packers in January 2018.