The Green Bay Packers are expected to bring in Sam Siefkes as their new linebackers coach - a move that signals more than just a staff addition. It’s a reunion, a strategic hire, and a clear indication of the direction new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon wants to take this unit in 2026.
Siefkes and Gannon have history. The two worked together in Arizona, where Siefkes coached linebackers under Gannon’s leadership from 2022 to 2023.
Now, they’re reuniting in Green Bay, and it’s no coincidence. Gannon is beginning to shape the Packers’ defense in his image, and Siefkes appears to be a foundational piece of that vision.
This move comes in the wake of former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley heading to Miami to coach the Dolphins. Hafley took linebackers coach Sean Duggan with him, leaving a vacancy on the Packers' defensive staff. Gannon didn’t wait long - he turned to someone he trusts in Siefkes, who spent last season as Virginia Tech’s defensive play-caller before jumping back to the NFL.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Virginia Tech’s defense struggled last year. The Hokies ranked 106th in opponent scoring and 96th in yards per play allowed.
That’s not the kind of stat line that typically gets a coach promoted back to the league. But context matters.
Siefkes stepped into a tough situation in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech’s football program has been in a prolonged slide, and the challenges he faced weren’t just about scheme - they were about personnel, depth, and a broader rebuild that was already underway before he arrived. It’s hard to fix a defense when you’re playing from behind before the season even starts.
But when you zoom out and look at Siefkes’ NFL résumé, the hire starts to make a lot more sense. He’s coached some serious talent.
During his time with the Minnesota Vikings as an assistant linebackers coach, he worked with Pro Bowlers like Danielle Hunter, Za'Darius Smith, and Eric Kendricks - players who don’t just rack up stats, but lead defenses. More recently in Arizona, he helped turn Kyzir White - a player who’d bounced around the league - into a reliable every-down linebacker.
That kind of development doesn’t happen by accident.
There’s also a personal angle to this hire that Packers fans might appreciate. Siefkes is a Wisconsin native, hailing from Oconomowoc.
So this isn’t just a professional reunion - it’s a homecoming. That local connection doesn’t win games, but it certainly adds a layer of motivation and familiarity that can go a long way in building trust within the locker room and the community.
And then there’s the Micah Parsons factor. While nothing is set in stone, Siefkes’ arrival could open the door for new ways to deploy the Packers’ star pass rusher.
Parsons, remember, was a linebacker in college before morphing into one of the league’s most feared edge rushers. Gannon and Siefkes might see an opportunity to tap into that versatility, using Parsons in the box more often to keep offenses guessing.
If they can unlock even more layers to his game, Green Bay’s defense could take a serious step forward.
Bottom line: This hire isn’t just about filling a vacancy. It’s about building a defensive identity - one rooted in familiarity, trust, and a shared vision between Gannon and Siefkes. The Packers are making moves with purpose, and this one could pay dividends both on the field and in the locker room.