Not everyone is born to lead. Some are better followers, with new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon being a prime example.
There doesn't seem to be much optimism surrounding Gannon. Initial reactions to the Packers hiring him haven't been great, to put it mildly. His disastrous stint as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach has understandably left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. Green Bay's unwillingness to wait for Denver Broncos defensive pass game coordinator/assistant head coach Jim Leonhard has also drawn skepticism.
Nevertheless, recency bias and Leonhard's availability aside, Gannon's stint with the Philadelphia Eagles in the same role he's assuming for the Packers offers hope.
Jonathan Gannon's stint as Eagles' DC should have Packers fans cautiously optimistic
Our assessment of Gannon is clouded by his forgetful three-year tenure as the Cardinals' frontman. However, lest we forget, he earned the job in Arizona with a strong showing as the Eagles' defensive play-caller.
The Eagles finished with an NFL-best 70 sacks in Gannon's final campaign with the club in 2022. They lapped by a wide margin; for context, the Kansas City Chiefs were second in this department with 55. Notably, he did this without having an all-world pass-rusher at his disposal in Philadelphia, but is inheriting one in Titletown.
Enter Packers star Micah Parsons, arguably football's premier one-man wrecking crew. He anticipates being ready to return from his mid-December ACL tear early in the 2026 campaign. The idea of him in Gannon's disruptive scheme sounds appealing, especially for a Packers squad that struggled to take down the quarterback in 2025.
Here are some additional noteworthy and promising metrics that should put the Green Bay faithful at ease over Gannon's arrival:
- Seventh in points per game allowed (20.2)
- Second in yards per game allowed (301.5)
- First in passing yards per game allowed (179.8)
- First in yards per play (4.8)
- Tied for the third-most takeaways (27)
Gannon has become known for tailoring his approach to the players he has. His combination of malleability and strong track record with the Eagles suggests there's more to him than what meets the eye. Yet, if the numbers are any indication, the Packers will fly to the ball and limit explosives.
Now that Gannon no longer has to overlook an entire roster, he can do what he does best: focus on his side of the ball.