The Packers have made their move at defensive coordinator, and it’s official: Jonathan Gannon is taking over the reins. While some fans might’ve been holding out hope for a different name-maybe even dreaming of Anthony Campanile making his way to Green Bay after his breakout year in Jacksonville-this hire still brings plenty to the table.
Let’s start with Campanile. What he did with the Jaguars’ defense in just one season was nothing short of remarkable.
Taking a unit that ranked near the bottom across most defensive metrics in 2024 and turning it into a top-10, arguably top-5 defense? That’s the kind of turnaround that gets noticed across the league.
His energy, his intensity, and his ability to connect with players made him a rising star. But that ship has sailed-for now-and the Packers are moving forward with a different vision.
Enter Gannon. Say what you will about his head coaching stint in Arizona-different team, different context-but this is a guy who’s been around the league and has learned under some of the sharpest defensive minds in the game.
He’s seen a variety of schemes and philosophies and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. For Matt LaFleur, the hope is that Gannon can operate as the de facto head coach of the defense, freeing LaFleur up to focus more on the offensive side of things.
That could be a big deal, especially when it comes to game management, timeout usage, and keeping the offense humming in the second half-areas where the Packers have had some hiccups.
Of course, anytime the Packers make a coaching hire, the name Jim Leonhard inevitably surfaces. And yes, there’s a strong emotional pull there-Wisconsin roots, a respected football IQ, and a reputation that’s grown larger than life in some corners of Packers Nation.
But when you strip away the sentimentality, the question remains: is he truly the right fit for this team at this time? LaFleur clearly didn’t think so, or at least didn’t think it was worth waiting to find out.
That may sting for fans hoping for a homegrown storyline, but the NFL is a business of decisions, not fairy tales.
On the offensive side, Adam Stenovich remains in place as offensive coordinator, though his role continues to be a bit of a mystery. He doesn’t call plays-that’s still LaFleur’s domain-which makes him more of a high-ranking assistant than a traditional OC.
His primary influence comes during the week, helping craft the game plan and identifying matchups to exploit. But when it comes to Sundays, it’s LaFleur pulling the trigger.
That dynamic was on full display during the playoff loss to the Bears. The first half?
Arguably the best offensive half the Packers played all season. The second half?
A complete unraveling. The question is, how much of that first-half success-and second-half collapse-should be attributed to Stenovich?
The reality is, LaFleur owns the play-calling, and with that comes the praise and the blame.
Still, there are some valid criticisms of Stenovich’s approach, particularly when it comes to the offensive line. His insistence on versatility-having linemen shuffle across multiple positions-has raised eyebrows.
Take Jordan Morgan, for example. Drafted in the first round to be a franchise left tackle, he’s spent his first two seasons playing everywhere but there.
That kind of positional juggling can stunt a young lineman’s development, especially when consistency and chemistry are so vital in the trenches. Anthony Belton’s situation is similar, though to a lesser extent.
There’s an old-school belief in letting linemen settle into roles and build continuity, and in this case, it might not be so outdated.
As for Stenovich’s media presence, it’s fair to say he hasn’t exactly won over the room. He often comes off as dismissive or annoyed when facing tough questions. That doesn’t necessarily reflect his coaching ability, but it doesn’t help build trust or transparency either.
Which brings us to Brian Gutekunst. This offseason could be the defining stretch of his tenure as Packers GM.
The team is facing serious cap constraints, which means some tough decisions are coming. Starters will be cut.
Others will walk in free agency. Depth will be tested, and in many cases, it’s unclear whether the Packers have enough young talent ready to step in without a drop-off.
There’s also no first-round pick this year-or next-and recent draft classes haven’t exactly produced instant-impact players. Matthew Golden, for example, barely saw the field as a rookie. Add in the fact that last year’s free agent signings didn’t deliver much bang for the buck, and the margin for error gets razor thin.
All of this comes as the Packers enter what some inside the building are calling a “Micah Parsons 2-year Super Bowl Window.” If last offseason was about urgency, this one might require something closer to a miracle. Gutekunst will need to nail every move-draft, free agency, internal development-because the clock is ticking, and the expectations are rising.
In Green Bay, the pieces are there. But with a new defensive mind in Gannon, questions surrounding the offensive structure, and a front office under pressure, this offseason isn’t just about retooling. It’s about defining the next era of Packers football.