The Green Bay Packers have found their next defensive coordinator - and they didn’t waste time getting it done.
Jonathan Gannon, the former Arizona Cardinals head coach and ex-Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, is set to take over the reins of Green Bay’s defense. And make no mistake, this wasn’t a hire made in a vacuum. The Packers moved swiftly, knowing they weren’t the only ones eyeing Gannon for a key role.
According to multiple reports, both the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Giants had serious interest in Gannon for their own defensive coordinator vacancies. That urgency pushed Green Bay to act fast, locking in their guy before the competition could make a move.
There was also reported mutual interest between Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Jim Leonhard - the Denver Broncos assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator. Leonhard, a Wisconsin native with deep ties to the state, seemed like a natural fit on paper.
But with the Broncos still alive in the playoffs and preparing for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, Leonhard wasn’t available for interviews. The Packers weren’t willing to wait and potentially miss out on Gannon.
And that decision speaks volumes about how highly they value Gannon’s experience.
One of the key factors that drew Green Bay to Gannon was his recent head coaching stint in Arizona. While his time with the Cardinals didn’t yield much success in the win column, the Packers reportedly loved the fact that he’s “sat in the chair” - meaning he’s led a team, managed a staff, and navigated the day-to-day demands of being an NFL head coach. That kind of leadership experience, even from a rocky tenure, is something that’s hard to replicate.
But let’s not forget why Gannon was in position to land a head coaching job in the first place: his work as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. During his time in Philadelphia, Gannon helped build one of the league’s most aggressive and effective defenses - a unit that played a major role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run. His schemes emphasized speed, versatility, and pressure - qualities that could mesh well with Green Bay’s young and talented defensive core.
For the Packers, this hire isn’t just about X’s and O’s. It’s about bringing in a coach who’s been through the fire, who understands the full scope of leading a team, and who has a proven track record of building a defense that can thrive in today’s NFL.
Now the spotlight turns to how Gannon will reshape Green Bay’s defense - and whether his second act as a coordinator can help push the Packers closer to championship contention.