It's certainly no secret that the Green Bay Packers haven't made much noise as it pertains to adding outside help during this 2026 NFL free agency period.
One of the few external signings they have made is interior defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, who was given a two-year, $23 million contract mere hours after he was officially released by the Minnesota Vikings.
While certainly not in his prime, Hargrave, who just turned 33 back on February 7, is still a solid addition to the trenches and provides an upgrade over Colby Wooden, who was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in a straight player-for-player swap, with Green Bay getting linebacker Zaire Franklin in return.
In signing with Green Bay, Hargrave now reunites with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who was his DC during the final two seasons of his three-year run with the Philadelphia Eagles, which just happens to be the best two campaigns of his 10-year career. And Hargrave has now admitted that the main reason he signed with the Packers was to have that reunion.
Javon Hargrave says a call from Jonathan Gannon led him to sign with the Packers
The two are now back together, and Hargrave couldn't be more thrilled. During an interview with Packers on SI's Bill Huber, the two-time Pro Bowler raved about his two-year run with Gannon and said that when it became clear that he was going to be released by Minnesota as a cap casualty, he immediately thought about what it would be like to hook back up with his old DC in Green Bay.
And once that release actually happened, it was Gannon who made the phone call for the Packers, and that was all it took.
"I know free agency," Hargrave said. "You hear a lot of stuff until the time comes. I knew there was a chance with J.G., but you just never know. When they called, I'm like, yeah, I was definitely excited. It was J.G. talking to me. That's all I really needed. Him saying he wanted me was all I really needed, honestly."
After four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who took him in the third round of the 2016 draft with the 89th overall pick, Hargrave signed a three-year deal with the Eagles ahead of the 2020 campaign, which turned out to be the last for Philly defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who stepped down and was replaced by Gannon.
Hargrave had a decent '20 season under Schwartz, recording 38 total tackles and 4.5 sacks, but when Gannon came on board, the South Carolina State stepped it up something fierce in 2021, setting new career bests with 63 tackles and 7.5 sacks en route to earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
And he was even better in 2022 in helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl, racking up a career-high 11.0 sacks during the regular season and another in the playoffs. Hargrave moved on to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 NFL offseason, while Gannon took over as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Gannon is clearly the biggest reason Hargrave joined the Packers, but he did also admit that the chance to wear the Green & Gold was enticing as well.
"My whole career, I've been with great organizations – not to try to throw shade [at other teams] but historic organizations. Lambeau Field, I feel like it just fit me. And, of course, J.G., man. I love J.G. Great coach and friend. Kept up with him over the years, so that was a big thing, too."
Now, Cheeseheads have to hope Gannon can once again get the best out of Hargrave, who had just 3.5 sacks with the Vikings this past year.