When Matt LaFleur tapped Jonathan Gannon to be the Packers’ new defensive coordinator, the reaction was… mixed. Fans who had been holding out hope for a splashier hire - someone like Jim Leonhard or a rising name such as Christian Parker - were left scratching their heads. But dig a little deeper, and LaFleur’s logic starts to come into focus.
This wasn’t about buzz. It was about experience. And Gannon brings plenty of it.
He’s called plays. He’s led a defense to a Super Bowl.
He’s even been a head coach. That last part might be the most important.
LaFleur made it clear: he wanted someone who could take over the defense and run it like a head coach - much like Jeff Hafley did before heading to Boston College. Gannon fits that mold.
Former Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga, speaking on ESPN Wisconsin, broke it down pretty simply: LaFleur didn’t want to gamble. He wanted a coordinator with a proven track record, someone who’s done it before - and done it well.
“He doesn’t want to take that risk,” Bulaga said. “He wants to see like, OK, here’s the data.
‘He definitely made this work here, and this definitely worked here.’ That’s kind of what he’s looking for.”
And let’s be honest - expectations in Green Bay are sky-high. This roster isn’t being built to sneak into the playoffs.
It’s being built to make a deep run. Super Bowl aspirations aren’t whispered; they’re expected.
That kind of pressure calls for a steady hand on the defensive side of the ball.
Gannon’s resume checks out. His 2022 Eagles defense was a force, ranking second in total yards allowed, first against the pass, and eighth in points allowed.
That group racked up 70 sacks in the regular season - then added eight more in the playoffs. And they did it without a true game-wrecking pass rusher.
Now imagine what Gannon could do with a player like Micah Parsons.
There were other intriguing candidates, no doubt. Christian Parker just landed the Cowboys’ DC job after impressing in Philadelphia - and he had prior experience on LaFleur’s staff.
Daronte Jones nearly stepped into the DC role in Minnesota if Brian Flores had taken a head coaching job. Aden Durde helped turn Seattle’s defense around, even if he wasn’t the one calling the shots.
But that’s the thing - none of them have actually led a defense. There’s upside, sure, but also risk. And in a win-now window, risk isn’t what LaFleur is after.
That’s why names like Raheem Morris were floated early in the process. Morris, fresh off his stint as Falcons head coach, brought the same kind of experience LaFleur was clearly prioritizing. But with Morris likely sitting out the 2026 season, Gannon emerged as the best fit.
Now, let’s be real - Gannon’s not walking into Lambeau with a trail of fireworks behind him. This isn’t a hire that’s going to light up social media or get fans rushing to buy jerseys.
His defenses tend to play it safe: bend-but-don’t-break, heavy on zone coverage, especially Cover 4. Blitzing?
Don’t count on it.
But again, that seems to be exactly what LaFleur wants. A coordinator who won’t lose games with over-aggression. Someone who can keep the defense disciplined, structured, and reliable - especially when the offense is humming.
So while the hire might not feel exciting on the surface, it’s a calculated move. LaFleur isn’t chasing headlines.
He’s chasing wins. And with Gannon’s experience and track record, he’s betting that this is the guy who can help deliver them.