The Green Bay Packers are reportedly expected to hire Sam Siefkes as a linebackers coach. Fans may know the name — yet — but the club's new defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, does.
Siefkes previously served in the same role for the Arizona Cardinals from 2022 through 2023, when Gannon was notably their head coach. Now, they're getting back together in Titletown. CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz connected the dots when breaking the news.
It's becoming increasingly clear that Gannon has a vision for what he wants the Packers' defense to look like. The 42-year-old is wasting no time making his mark on the Packers, and Siefkes is ostensibly a key piece of the puzzle.
Jonathan Gannon is already molding the Packers' defense in his image with Sam Siefkes hire
Ex-Packers DC and current Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley recruited Packers linebackers coach Sean Duggan to South Beach. So, Gannon phoned a friend. Siefkes, who spent the 2025 campaign as Virginia Tech's defensive play-caller, suddenly returns to the NFL.
Members of the Green Bay faithful have every right to be concerned about what we saw from Siefkes at Virginia Tech last season. The Hokies couldn't make stops, ranking 106th out of 136 in opponent scoring (30.2 points per game) and 96th in yards per play allowed (5.9). However, additional context gives him a mulligan for the shortcomings.
Virginia Tech's football squad has been a reflection of the university's declining men's athletic programs for several seasons. Their downward trajectory predated Siefkes' tenure, putting him behind the eight ball from the jump. He didn't have much at his disposal, which undeniably reared its ugly head.
Nevertheless, Siefkes has a strong track record at the pro level that speaks for itself. He's worked with proven players like Danielle Hunter, Za'Darius Smith, and Eric Kendricks as the Minnesota Vikings' assistant linebackers coach. Moreover, his tutelage in Arizona helped turn veteran journeyman Kyzir White into an every-down contributor for the Cardinals in 2023 and 2024.
It's also worth mentioning that Siefkes is an Oconomowoc, Wisconsin native. So, not only is he reuniting with an old friend by joining the Packers' staff, but this is also a homecoming for him. And perhaps most intriguingly, his arrival in Green Bay might create more opportunities for star pass rusher Micah Parsons to line up in the box.
Parsons was a linebacker in college before transforming into the game-wrecking sack artist he is today. Let's see if Gannon and Siefkes can use the versatility to their advantage in 2026.