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Surprising direction in the Packers DC search reveals how Matt LaFleur is shaping the next phase

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Jan 25, 2026 12:29 PM ET

Matt LaFleur has made a decision, and he's chosen his fourth defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers . After Mike Pettine, Joe Barry, and Jeff Hafley, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon is going to be the architect and play-caller for the Packers' defense moving forward. LaFleur wanted experience, and this is how he will shape the staff.

Instead of waiting for Jim Leonhard, like it was expected, LaFleur decided to make a final decision on Sunday and landed Gannon, who reached a Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator three years ago.

The Packers had also interviewed Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker (he took the Cowboys DC job afterwards), Minnesota Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, and Chicago Bears defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Al Harris.

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Gannon brings DC and HC experience

A 43-year-old coach, Jonathan Gannon started in this profession back in 2003. He quickly climbed the ladder and had his first NFL opportunity in 2007 as the Atlanta Falcons' defensive quality control coach. He had lower-level jobs with the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings, until becoming the Indianapolis Colts' defensive backs coach in 2018 — a breakthrough moment in his NFL career.

Gannon was hired by Nick Sirianni to his original coaching staff on the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 as a defensive coordinator. He spent two years in Philly, reaching a Super Bowl. In that period, the Eagles’ defense was eighth in EPA/play and 19th in success rate.

Hired as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach in 2023, he couldn't replicate the same results — mostly due to personnel deficiencies. The Cardinals were 30th in EPA/play over the past three years.

Defensive personnel

Now, Jonathan Gannon will have the task to get more out of a talented but sometimes underwhelming defensive group — and possibly, returning for a 3-4 base defense. Having star edge rusher Micah Parsons and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt back from injury certainly helps, but there are still question marks on the interior defensive line and cornerback room in particular.

The top free agents of the unit are off-ball linebacker Quay Walker and rotational edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. Players like edge defender Rashan Gary and cornerback Nate Hobbs are cut candidates due to cap considerations.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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