The Green Bay Packers saw plenty of departures on their defense in the first week of free agency, such as defensive end Rashan Gary getting traded to the Dallas Cowboys and linebacker Quay Walker signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Looking to add to the interior of their defensive line, they signed Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $23 million contract after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings. This was a huge addition for the Packers, especially since Hargrave fills a void left by Kenny Clark, who was dealt to the Cowboys in the Micah Parsons trade.
So, why did Hargrave choose to sign with the Packers?
In an interview with Packers analyst Larry McCarren, Hargrave said that the team hiring Jonathan Gannon as their defensive coordinator appealed to him, considering he had the best years of his career when the two were together on the Philadelphia Eagles.
"My old DC, Jonathan Gannon. I had my best years with him, and he did a lot of things to give me opps, give us all opps. I think just his defense kind of fit some of my style and what I like to do," said Hargrave.
Javon Hargrave credits Jonathan Gannon for joining Packers
It's hard to fault Hargrave for wanting to reunite with Gannon. Sure, Gannon does get flak for his lackluster tenure as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, but we saw how the Eagles' defense collapsed upon his exit after the 2022 season (before the arrival of Vic Fangio).
Head coach Matt LaFleur hired Gannon to be his defensive coordinator after Jeff Hafley left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Hargrave joined the Eagles in 2020 on a three-year, $39 million contract.
In 2021, Gannon arrived alongside head coach Nick Sirianni. During Hargrave's first season with Gannon as his defensive coordinator, he had 61 total pressures (sixth among defensive tackles), 24 assisted tackles (second among defensive tackles), and eight sacks (seventh among defensive tackles), according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
In 2022, Hargrave recorded 57 total pressures (fourth among DTs) and 11 sacks (sixth among DTs).
Those are unreal numbers, and he credits Gannon for helping him. After the 2022 season, Hargrave signed a huge deal with the San Francisco 49ers, while Gannon left to become head coach of the Cardinals. Now, the two are reunited in Green Bay.
Packers fans had to be thrilled about the Vikings gifting Hargrave to them by releasing him. They have to be hoping he can put up the numbers he had in Philadelphia, especially with Gannon's presence.
If so, it would be a home run hire by LaFleur.