Packers are facing a Jonathan Gannon problem that dates back to his Eagles days

After another frustrating loss, there are plenty of things for Green Bay Packers fans to be concerned about. The offense has been unable to move the ball consistently, held back by one of the least efficient rushing attacks in the NFL.

But defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon deserves part of the blame himself. His defense was exposed against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3, and while Micah Parsons' absence doesn't help, Gannon's scheme is a major part of the problem.

If his history is any indication, Gannon might not be able to turn things around for the Packers.

Jonathan Gannon's vanilla defensive scheme is causing problems for Packers

The strategic battle between offensive and defensive play callers can be just as important as the impact of the players on the field. In a mental duel based on tendencies and disguises, the coach who can stay one step ahead of the other often comes out on top.

But Gannon shows his hand before the game even starts. He leans on the same basic coverages again and again, giving opposing offenses a leg up before the snap.

So far this season, the Packers have run zone coverage on 84.5 percent of their defensive snaps and two-high safety looks on 63.1 percent of their snaps, per SumerSports. Both rates rank near the top of the league. Typically, Gannon is running Cover 4 on clear passing downs. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Packers were running Cover 4 at the fourth-highest rate in the league.

This lack of schematic diversity leaves Gannon's defense vulnerable because offenses often know what they're getting. Quarterbacks know the weaknesses in each coverage shell, so being able to anticipate what the coverage will be before the snap gives them easy answers.

This kind of defense can be effective. Just look at the Seattle Seahawks, who run more zone and more two-high shells than the Packers and are still one of the league's best defenses. The difference is that the Seahawks are technically sound, rarely make mistakes, and have the talent to win even if their opponents know what's coming.

Gannon's Packers, on the other hand, are often at a talent deficit and have already been mistake-prone this season.

Packers' vulnerable defense is nothing new for Jonathan Gannon

Looking back at Gannon's coaching history, this isn't a new problem. While he was with the Arizona Cardinals, his defenses were known for exotic looks and coverages that quarterbacks weren't used to seeing, but they weren't exactly his defenses.

Despite Gannon's defensive background, Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis called the plays. Rallis was retained even after Gannon was fired, indicating that his defensive mind was highly valued in the building.

Gannon's current scheme is much closer to what he ran with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022. He relied heavily on zone and two-high coverages, but those teams had the talent to overcome schematic vulnerabilities.

This Packers unit doesn't, especially with Parsons out. Unless Gannon brings a new element to his scheme quickly, Green Bay is going to continue to get picked apart by opposing offenses.

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