The Green Bay Packers are turning the page on defense - and they’re doing it with a familiar face to NFL fans: Jonathan Gannon. The former Cardinals head coach and Eagles defensive coordinator is stepping into the DC role in Green Bay, and while the hire has sparked some debate, there’s no denying Gannon brings a deep well of experience and a clear defensive identity.
Now, the Packers aren’t starting from scratch. Jeff Hafley’s brief stint as defensive coordinator left the unit in solid shape, and the roster is loaded with young, ascending talent. But in today’s NFL, even the best defenses need reinforcements - and Gannon’s connections around the league could come in handy this offseason.
Let’s take a closer look at three free agents who could follow Gannon to Green Bay and help elevate this defense to the next level.
1. Haason Reddick, LB - Familiar Face, Proven Production
When it comes to pass rush, you can never have too many weapons. And while the Packers are already stacked with young talent, including a game-wrecker like Micah Parsons, adding a veteran like Haason Reddick would be a savvy move.
Reddick thrived under Gannon’s system in Philadelphia back in 2022, putting together the best season of his career. He racked up 16 sacks, 26 QB hits, and led the league with five forced fumbles - numbers that earned him Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a player in the right scheme, with the right coach, and Reddick and Gannon clearly clicked.
Now, Reddick isn’t quite the same explosive force he was a few years ago, but he’s still a high-IQ, high-motor edge presence with a championship pedigree. And with a market value hovering around $4.9 million, he wouldn’t break the bank. For a team looking to make a deep playoff run, that’s the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that can pay off in January.
2. Calais Campbell, DE - Veteran Leadership with Juice Left in the Tank
At 39 years old, Calais Campbell isn’t chasing stats - he’s chasing a ring. And if the Packers are serious about contending, this could be a perfect match.
Campbell has been remarkably durable and productive even in the twilight of his career. He started all 17 games last season and tallied 6.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, and nine tackles for loss. That’s not just “solid for his age” - that’s starting-caliber production for any defensive lineman.
His market value sits around $10.9 million, but recent contracts suggest he’d be willing to take less for the right opportunity. A reunion with Gannon, a coach he knows and trusts, could be the kind of situation that convinces him to make one more run - this time in Green Bay.
Beyond the stats, Campbell brings invaluable leadership and playoff hunger. He’s played in 15 postseason games but has yet to reach the Super Bowl. That kind of drive, paired with his locker room presence, could be exactly what this young Packers defense needs.
3. Kyzir White, LB/S - Versatility and System Fit
If there’s one player on this list who makes perfect sense for Gannon’s defense, it’s Kyzir White. The 29-year-old hybrid linebacker-safety has followed Gannon from Philadelphia to Arizona and could be in line for a third stop under the same coach.
White knows Gannon’s system inside and out, and when healthy, he’s been a highly productive and versatile defender. In 28 starts over two seasons with the Cardinals, White racked up 113 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and six passes defensed. He’s the kind of player who can slide into multiple roles - a valuable trait in today’s matchup-heavy NFL.
Injuries limited him to just one appearance in 2025, but he was healthy enough to land on the 49ers’ practice squad during their playoff push. If his hamstring issue is behind him, White could offer Green Bay a cost-effective, plug-and-play option with upside.
And again, the familiarity matters. Gannon knows exactly how to deploy White - whether it’s as a downhill thumper, a coverage linebacker, or a hybrid safety. That kind of fit could make all the difference in a defense that’s looking to take the next step.
The Bottom Line
The Packers are already trending in the right direction defensively, but the addition of Jonathan Gannon signals a desire to level up - to bring more aggression, more versatility, and more experience to a unit with serious potential.
Adding players like Reddick, Campbell, and White isn’t about making splashy headlines - it’s about building a defense that can win in January. All three bring something different to the table: pass rush, veteran leadership, schematic familiarity. And all three could be key pieces if Gannon wants to hit the ground running in Green Bay.
It’s early in the offseason, but the blueprint is there. Now we’ll see if the Packers - and Gannon - decide to follow it.