The Green Bay Packers’ defensive shake-up is officially underway, and it didn’t take long for new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon to put his stamp on the staff. With two assistants-Ryan Downard and Sean Duggan-departing to join Jeff Hafley’s new staff in Miami, Gannon wasted no time filling the void with a name that carries both pedigree and recent production: former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich.
Babich steps in as the Packers’ new secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator, a move that signals a clear pivot in philosophy and direction for Green Bay’s defensive backfield. And with that hire, the writing was on the wall for Derrick Ansley. According to reports, Ansley is leaving the Packers after just one season with the team.
Let’s unpack what this all means.
A Strategic Swap in the Secondary
Ansley’s lone season in Green Bay was a bit of a mixed bag. On paper, the defense looked solid in certain areas.
The Packers were fourth in takeaways in his first year with 31 and held opposing offenses to 215.2 passing yards per game, good for 13th in the league. But the 2025 season told a different story.
Turnovers dried up-Green Bay plummeted to 28th in takeaways with just 14-but the pass defense statistically improved, allowing only 194.1 yards per game through the air.
Still, numbers don’t always tell the full story, and in this case, the eye test raised some red flags. The cornerback play was inconsistent at best.
Whether it was Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, or Carrington Valentine, the secondary often looked out of sync. Missed assignments, communication breakdowns, and lapses in coverage were too frequent for a unit expected to take a step forward.
That’s where Babich comes in.
Why Bobby Babich Makes Sense
Babich brings a strong track record from Buffalo, where he helped mold one of the league’s stingiest pass defenses. The Bills allowed just 156.9 passing yards per game this past season-best in the NFL.
And they did it without a fully healthy or experienced secondary. Tre’Davious White, the veteran anchor, showed signs of wear.
Rookie Maxwell Hairston missed time. Christian Benford continued developing, and safety Cole Bishop flashed serious upside in his second year.
Despite those challenges, Babich kept the unit disciplined, aggressive, and opportunistic. That’s exactly what Green Bay needs-a coach who can elevate the play of a young, talented but inconsistent group.
The Packers’ secondary isn’t short on potential. They’ve got athleticism and flashes of playmaking ability, but they need someone who can bring cohesion and accountability. Babich has proven he can do that, even when the personnel isn’t perfect.
The Bigger Picture
Let’s be real-Packers fans weren’t exactly devastated to see Ansley go. While the defense showed some signs of improvement in certain metrics, the lack of turnovers and the up-and-down play in the secondary left a lot to be desired. Bringing in a new voice, especially one with Babich’s résumé, feels like a necessary step forward.
With Gannon now overseeing the entire defense and Babich focusing on the back end, the Packers are clearly aiming to tighten things up on the back end while also addressing bigger issues across the front seven. The secondary will need to play at a high level in 2026, especially with looming questions about the pass rush and linebacker depth.
Bottom line: this is a calculated move by Gannon and the Packers. Babich isn’t just a replacement-he’s an upgrade with a proven ability to maximize talent in the secondary. If he can replicate even a portion of what he accomplished in Buffalo, Green Bay’s defense could be in for a much-needed resurgence.