Packers Opt for Continuity at the Top, But Defensive Overhaul Signals a Shift in Green Bay
The phrase "run it back" might feel like a gut punch to Packers fans still stinging from another early playoff exit. It conjures up memories of late-season fades, missed opportunities, and another year watching someone else hoist the Lombardi Trophy. But while the sentiment sounds like more of the same, the reality in Green Bay this offseason is a bit more layered.
Yes, the Packers are sticking with head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst - a decision that raised eyebrows after back-to-back first-round playoff exits. It's Year 7 for LaFleur and Year 8 for Gutekunst, and the Super Bowl remains elusive.
But according to team president Ed Policy, the leadership is still strong, and the foundation is worth preserving. That vote of confidence is a big one, and now it’s on LaFleur and Gutekunst to prove Policy right.
Still, calling this offseason a pure rerun doesn’t tell the whole story.
Green Bay may be keeping its core leadership intact, but the defensive side of the ball is getting a serious facelift - and that could be the key to unlocking a new ceiling in 2026.
The Packers brought in former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon to run the defense, a move that signals a clear shift in philosophy. Gannon brings head coaching experience and a reputation for aggressive, adaptable schemes. But it’s not just Gannon - the Packers have built a deep, experienced defensive staff around him.
Former Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich is stepping in as the passing game coordinator. Sam Siefkes, who coordinated the defense at Virginia Tech, will coach the linebackers.
And perhaps most notably, DeMarcus Covington - fresh off a stint as the Patriots’ defensive coordinator under Jerod Mayo - joins as the defensive line coach and run game coordinator. That’s a lot of firepower in one room.
Essentially, Green Bay now has four high-level defensive minds working in unison.
This isn’t just a reshuffle. It’s a reimagining of how the Packers want to play defense.
And let’s be honest - that side of the ball needed attention. The offense, led by a young quarterback with upside and a solid supporting cast, showed flashes last season.
But the defense often struggled to get off the field in key moments, and it showed in the postseason. If Gannon and his staff can elevate that unit, Green Bay’s ceiling gets a whole lot higher.
Still, the Packers landed at No. 10 in ESPN’s early 2026 power rankings, behind the likes of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, the Patriots, Rams, Broncos, Bills, 49ers, Lions, Eagles, and Jaguars. Most of those teams had stronger campaigns in 2025, and on paper, they’re still ahead of Green Bay.
So the question becomes: can internal consistency at the top, paired with a revamped defensive brain trust, close that gap?
Free agency and the draft will tell us more. The roster will evolve - it always does - with new faces coming in and familiar ones moving on.
But the Packers aren’t standing still. They’re betting that stability in leadership, combined with fresh defensive ideas, can push them out of the middle of the playoff pack and back into true contender status.
"Run it back" might be the headline. But look a little closer, and it’s clear the Packers are quietly setting the stage for something different. Now it’s about execution - and turning potential into postseason results.