The Green Bay Packers are entering the 2026 season with a fresh defensive approach, thanks to the arrival of Jonathan Gannon as the new defensive coordinator. Gannon, formerly the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, is bringing his expertise to reshape the Packers' defense. Alongside this strategic shift, the Packers have made significant roster changes, including trading Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys and signing Javon Hargrave and Zaire Franklin in free agency.
As is often the case with new talent acquisitions, some players find themselves on the trading block. Bill Huber of Packers On SI has identified three Packers who might be traded before Week 1, with one key player being Isaiah McDuffie. McDuffie, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been a reliable starter for the Packers, exceeding expectations with solid performances over the past two seasons.
However, the transition to Gannon’s 3-4 defensive scheme, which requires only two off-the-ball linebackers, puts McDuffie in a precarious position. With Edgerrin Cooper and the newly acquired Zaire Franklin expected to fill those roles, McDuffie, who is in the final year of his contract with a $2.4 million base salary, could be seen as expendable. Trading him would free up nearly $3.0 million in cap space.
In 2025, McDuffie made his mark by playing in all 17 games, starting 12 of them, and racking up 92 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception. His efforts earned him a respectable 69.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, placing him 30th among 88 qualified linebackers. Despite his contributions, the Packers' depth chart and salary cap considerations might lead them to explore trade options.
The Packers' linebacker depth without McDuffie would see 2024 third-round pick Ty'Ron Hopper stepping up as the primary backup. Hopper, however, has limited experience, with only one game exceeding 20 snaps in his career. Given this, the Packers might weigh the benefits of retaining McDuffie for another season against the potential return of a mid-to-late-round draft pick.
Beyond McDuffie's situation, there's a broader question of whether the Packers' defense will be formidable enough in 2026. The anticipated absence of star edge rusher Micah Parsons for half the season raises concerns about the edge rusher depth.
Meanwhile, in the secondary, the team is placing considerable trust in rookie Brandon Cisse and newcomer Benjamin St. Juste.
The departure of Rashan Gary adds another layer of uncertainty to the defensive line.
Despite these changes, a new-look defense doesn't inherently mean a weaker one. The true test will come when the Packers take the field in September, and fans will be eager to see how Gannon's revamped unit performs under the bright lights of the NFL season.
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