After Watching Seattle Dominate, the Packers Know Their Defense Has to Rise - and Fast
Super Bowl LX is in the books, and if there’s one lasting image from Seattle’s 29-13 win over New England, it’s the Seahawks’ defense overwhelming rookie quarterback Drake Maye. From the opening snap to the final whistle, Seattle’s front seven turned the game into a showcase of pressure, discipline, and relentless pursuit - the kind of defensive performance that wins championships and sets the bar for the rest of the league.
Now, the Green Bay Packers are staring at that bar and asking themselves a hard question: can they get there too?
Seattle Set the Blueprint - Now It’s Green Bay’s Turn to Follow It
Let’s be clear - the Packers have the offensive firepower to compete. They’ve got their quarterback.
They’ve got weapons. But if Green Bay is going to make a serious Super Bowl push in 2026, the defense has to take a major step forward.
And that responsibility now falls squarely on the shoulders of new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
The hire raised some eyebrows when it was announced. With fan-favorite options like Jim Leonhard and Al Harris available - both of whom landed elsewhere - Gannon’s name didn’t exactly inspire confidence across the fanbase. His three-year stint as head coach in Arizona didn’t help his case either.
But the Packers are betting on the version of Gannon who helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2022 as their defensive coordinator. That season, Philly racked up a league-high 70 sacks and made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. While they fell short in the big game, the defense was a major reason they got there.
Gannon’s Challenge: Build a Front That Can Pressure Without Overcommitting
Here’s the thing, though: that Eagles defense didn’t blitz much - just 22.1% of the time, ranking 18th in the league. But they didn’t need to.
Thanks to an absurdly deep and talented defensive line, they still finished second in quarterback pressure rate at 25.5%. Gannon could sit back in coverage and still collapse the pocket with just four rushers.
That’s not the situation in Green Bay right now.
The Packers don’t have that kind of depth up front - at least not yet. And while there’s talent on the roster, it comes with caveats.
Micah Parsons, the explosive edge rusher, and Devonte Wyatt, the anchor in the middle, are both coming off significant injuries. Their health will be critical, but even if they’re back to form, Gannon’s going to need more.
That means unlocking players like Lukas Van Ness and Rashan Gary - assuming Gary is still in Green Bay when the season kicks off. Both have flashed potential, but consistency has been elusive. Former defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley couldn’t quite get them over the hump, and the result was a pedestrian 36 sacks for the Packers in 2025 - not nearly enough for a team with championship aspirations.
The Front Office Has a Role to Play - But So Does Gannon
If Green Bay wants to be the next team lifting the Lombardi Trophy, that number has to go up. The defensive line needs reinforcements, and that’s where the front office comes in. Whether it’s through free agency, the draft, or both, the Packers need to prioritize adding talent - and depth - to the defensive front.
But even with new pieces, it’s Gannon who has to make it all work.
He’s going to have to scheme pressure, find mismatches, and get creative in ways he didn’t have to in Philadelphia. This isn’t a plug-and-play roster.
It’s a group with upside, yes, but also question marks. And in a league where defensive dominance can swing a season - as Seattle just reminded everyone - Gannon’s ability to elevate this unit could be the difference between another early playoff exit and a trip to the Super Bowl.
The Window’s Open - But It Won’t Stay That Way Forever
The Packers aren’t in rebuild mode. They’re in win-now mode.
The offense is ready. The coaching staff is in place.
And the Super Bowl window is still wide open. But windows don’t stay open forever in the NFL.
If Green Bay wants to seize its moment, the defense has to meet the moment. And that starts with Jonathan Gannon.
The blueprint is out there - Seattle just drew it in bold ink. Now it’s on the Packers to follow it.