When the Green Bay Packers announced Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator, the reaction was… mixed. And that’s putting it lightly.
His brief, rocky tenure as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals left a lot to be desired, and for many fans, that’s the version of Gannon that sticks. Add in the fact that the Packers passed on Jim Leonhard - a fan favorite and a name long linked to Green Bay - and there’s understandable skepticism.
But here’s the thing: Gannon’s résumé as a defensive coordinator tells a very different story. Before his Arizona detour, he led one of the most dominant defenses in recent memory with the Philadelphia Eagles. And if Packers fans take a breath and look past the head coaching misfire, there’s reason to believe this hire could quietly be one of the more impactful moves of the offseason.
The Eagles Years: A Blueprint for Success
Let’s rewind to 2022, Gannon’s final season running the Eagles' defense. That unit was a wrecking crew.
Philadelphia led the league with 70 sacks - a staggering number that put them well ahead of the next closest team, the Kansas City Chiefs, who finished with 55. And here’s the kicker: Gannon did it without a true elite edge rusher.
He schemed pressure from all over the field, using depth, disguise, and flexibility to keep quarterbacks guessing.
Now, imagine what he can do with Micah Parsons.
Micah Parsons in Gannon’s System? Yes, Please.
Parsons, who’s working his way back from a mid-December ACL tear, is expected to return early in the 2026 season. If he’s anywhere near full strength, Gannon will inherit a weapon unlike any he had in Philadelphia.
Parsons is a game-wrecker - the kind of player who can tilt the field on any given snap. Pair that with a coordinator who knows how to maximize mismatches and create chaos?
That’s a formula Green Bay hasn’t had on defense in a long time.
And let’s not forget: the Packers struggled to get after the quarterback in 2025. Gannon’s track record suggests that’s about to change.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Gannon’s 2022 Eagles defense wasn’t just about sacks. They were airtight across the board:
- 7th in points allowed per game (20.2)
- 2nd in total yards allowed per game (301.5)
- 1st in passing yards allowed per game (179.8)
- 1st in yards per play (4.8)
- Tied for 3rd in takeaways (27)
That’s elite-level production, and it came from a defense that played fast, physical, and disciplined football. Gannon’s calling card has always been adaptability - he molds his scheme to his personnel, not the other way around. That flexibility could be exactly what this Packers defense needs.
Back in His Comfort Zone
Let’s be honest: not every coach is cut out to be a head coach. The job demands a different skill set - managing the entire roster, handling media, overseeing both sides of the ball.
Some thrive in that role. Others, like Gannon, are simply better when they can zero in on their specialty.
Now that he’s back in a coordinator role, Gannon can focus on what he does best: designing defenses that frustrate quarterbacks and force offenses into mistakes. And with a young, talented core in Green Bay - led by Parsons - he’s got the tools to do just that.
Cautious Optimism Is Warranted
No, this hire didn’t come with fireworks. And yes, Gannon’s Arizona stint left a sour taste.
But the Packers didn’t bring him in to run the whole show. They brought him in to fix a defense that’s been inconsistent and underperforming.
And if his time in Philadelphia is any indication, he’s more than capable of doing just that.
So while the headlines might not scream “home run,” don’t be surprised if Gannon turns this Green Bay defense into one of the league’s most disruptive units. The pieces are there. Now it’s on him to put them together.