Jonathan Gannon’s first big challenge in Green Bay is staring him right in the face: how do you keep the Packers’ defense from getting exposed before Micah Parsons is ready to take over?
That question hangs over the start of the season, especially with Parsons still working his way back after tearing his ACL last season and trying to return to his All-Pro level as one of the NFL’s most disruptive pass rushers. The Packers need stability up front, and they need it early, because Gannon may have to manufacture chaos in opposing backfields during the first six weeks of the season without his biggest weapon fully available.
The concern shows up in Pro Football Focus’ annual ranking of NFL defensive lines, where Green Bay landed near the bottom at No. 27.
PFF didn’t leave much doubt about why the Packers’ front looks shaky on paper. “With Micah Parsons on the field, the Packers would rank inside the top 15,” the PFF staff writes.
“But the star edge defender is expected to begin the season on the PUP list. Fellow edge defender Lukas Van Ness earned a career-high 75.5 PFF grade last season, though it came across just 263 snaps.
Through three NFL seasons, he has yet to play 500 snaps in a single year.
“Green Bay will also be counting on Javon Hargrave to remain productive at age 33. He earned a solid 68.4 PFF grade in 2025, his 10th NFL season.”
That’s the reality for Green Bay right now: Parsons changes everything, but the Packers may have to get through the early stretch before he can truly tilt the field. If Gannon can’t find pressure elsewhere, the team’s ceiling could take a hit before Parsons ever gets the chance to raise it.
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