{"id":264482,"date":"2026-02-04T16:56:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T21:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=264482"},"modified":"2026-02-04T16:56:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T21:56:51","slug":"jonathan-gannons-packers-key-defensive-players-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/04\/jonathan-gannons-packers-key-defensive-players-to-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonathan Gannon\u2019s Packers: Key Defensive Players to Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Green Bay Packers<\/a> made a defensive shift when they hired Jonathan Gannon<\/a> as defensive coordinator. Replacing Jeff Hafley<\/a>, who left to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Gannon brings a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 rooted in zone, disguise, and front four efficiency.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
During his time as the Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 defensive coordinator, Gannon built one of the NFL\u2019s most consistent defenses by using split-safety coverages, match-zone, and a pass rush that won without heavy blitz usage. That will become the new norm for the Packers’ defense in 2026, and several defenders appear suited for this new system.<\/span><\/div>\n

Safeties <\/span><\/h3>\n
Gannon\u2019s defense relies heavily on quarters-style coverage, like Cover 4. Safeties are expected to cover deep zones, rotate after the snap, and help underneath when needed.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Xavier McKinney<\/a> is expected to have a bigger role, moving between deep coverage, box support, and \u201crobber\u201d positions to disrupt passes. Evan Williams<\/a> may also benefit, helping the defense stay disguised and confuse quarterbacks.<\/span><\/div>\n

Linebackers <\/span><\/h3>\n
Gannon\u2019s linebackers must cover. They are regularly asked to cover tight ends, carry seams, and close throwing windows in underneath zones.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Edgerrin Cooper<\/a> fits extremely well in this environment. His speed and range allow him to play as an eraser in this structure, giving Green Bay flexibility to stay in two-high shells without sacrificing the middle-of-the-field.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
If Quay Walker<\/a> returns, he could be used with simulated pressure roles. If not, Gannon\u2019s history suggests Green Bay will prioritize rangy coverage-capable linebackers going forward.<\/span><\/div>\n

Edge Players<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\"lukas
Main Photo: Dan Powers\/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n


\nAnother hallmark of Gannon\u2019s system is simulated pressure. Edge defenders occasionally drop into coverage while linebackers or safeties rush, creating pressure without tipping it pre-snap.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Lukas Van Ness<\/a> could benefit greatly from this defense. His size and athleticism enable him to be a stand-up edge, wide rusher, or flat dropper, expanding his overall impact beyond sack totals.<\/span><\/div>\n

Interior Line<\/span><\/h3>\n
Gannon\u2019s Eagles’ defense was powered by interior pressure. The ability to collapse pockets with four rushers is essential to making split-safety coverage work.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Devonte Wyatt\u2019s<\/a> first-step and penetration ability align well with this defense. Expect him to be featured in attacking one-gap roles, tasked with stressing guards and centers rather than absorbing double teams.<\/span><\/div>\n

The Big Picture<\/span><\/h3>\n
Although blitzing may not be frequent, Gannon’s defense is designed to limit big plays, force long drives, and generate turnovers through positioning and disguise. If executed effectively, Gannon\u2019s system could transform a talented but inconsistent defense into a stable and difficult unit to solve.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports<\/em><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Green Bay Packers made a defensive shift when they hired Jonathan Gannon as defensive coordinator. Replacing Jeff Hafley, who left to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Gannon brings a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 rooted in zone, disguise, and front four efficiency. During his time as the Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 defensive coordinator, Gannon built one of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5764,"featured_media":172309,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6431,25],"tags":[32405,7460,9226,9696,6045],"class_list":["post-264482","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-teams","category-packers","tag-edgerrin-cooper","tag-green-bay-packers-news","tag-jonathan-gannon","tag-lukas-van-ness","tag-xavier-mckinney"],"modified_by":"Mike Roberts","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264482","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5764"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=264482"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264482\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":264502,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264482\/revisions\/264502"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=264482"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=264482"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=264482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}