DC Jonathan Gannon Has Been The Packers’ MVP

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

DC Jonathan Gannon Has Been The Packers’ MVP

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated Nov 4, 2026 6:36 PM ET

After a dreadful 1-2 start, the Green Bay Packers looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL. They’ve since righted the ship, sitting at 5-3 entering Week 9.

Understandably, head coach Matt LaFleur will get most of the credit when it comes to the team’s turnaround. However, the Packers defense has been the unsung hero, led by coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who has the severely shorthanded unit playing like one of the league’s best.

Through eight games, the Packers defense ranks 10th overall, allowing 314.9 yards per game. Meanwhile, they boast a top-ten passing defense, giving up only 204.0 yards per game through the air, good enough for eighth in the NFL.

Gannon’s defense has also been extremely opportunistic. Green Bay ranks second in takeaways with 15, already surpassing the team’s total from all of last season (14).

Furthermore, they might be playing their best football of the season ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the New England Patriots. Over the last five games, the Packers are allowing only 14.6 points per game, holding three teams to 14 points or less.

The most impressive aspect of the Packers’ performance defensively thus far is that they’ve done it without several key players. Star edge rusher Micah Parsons has yet to see the field, and Green Bay has lost linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for the season due to injury.

The fact that the defense has not only stayed above water, but thrived, is a direct reflection of the job Gannon has done in his first year with Green Bay.

Jonathan Gannon is the League’s ‘Best’ New Coordinator

Few coordinators come in and make the kind of impact Gannon has thus far, and it hasn’t gone completely unnoticed. Garrett Podell of CBS Sports ranked Gannon as the league’s best new coordinator.

“Having the league’s worst rushing offense (60.6 rushing yards per game) has heavily contributed to Gannon’s defense being on the field for an average time of possession of 31:36, the third-highest in the NFL,” Podell wrote. “Micah Parsons isn’t expected to return from his torn ACL until Thanksgiving, and top inside linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Green Bay is a top-10 scoring defense (20.5 points per game allowed) and a top-10 total defense (314.9 total yards per game allowed). That is remarkable.”

The good news for the Packers and Gannon is that Parsons returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since tearing his left ACL and meniscus last December. When asked earlier this week about how often he thinks about Parsons’ return, Gannon smirked and said, “Every day.”

The rest of the league and the NFC North should be trembling at the thought of what he might be cooking up for the All-Pro’s return.