New Packers DC Jonathan Gannon says he will adjust his scheme to suit players’ strengths

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) 鈥� New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon says he doesn鈥檛 consider himself a 鈥渉uge rah-rah guy,鈥� but there鈥檚 one point the former Arizona Cardinals coach is trying to make sure he gets across.

This is his message: You are under no obligation to be the person you were five minutes ago.

鈥淚 said it for the players, but it鈥檚 for us, too,鈥� Gannon said Monday during his first media session since three months ago. 鈥淎nd what that鈥檚 basically saying is grow and adapt and get better. And if we all have that mindset and can continually stick to the process, we鈥檒l get better.鈥�

That adaptability is apparent from Gannon鈥檚 schematic approach.

The Packers had run a 4-3 defense during as coordinator before the as their coach. Green Bay previously had utilized a 3-4 alignment under the Packers鈥� defensive coordinator from 2021-23.

Gannon says he wants to adjust his scheme to reflect the strengths of his personnel.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 really get caught up in 4-3, 3-4,鈥� Gannon said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e an NFL-style defense hopefully, right? I just believe that you鈥檝e got to be, you鈥檝e got to continually every year try to adapt and solve problems and really with your guys in mind.鈥�

Gannon has some specific principles he likes to utilize, but he said he鈥檚 not going to force a defense to do something that doesn鈥檛 suit its players鈥� talents.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got to put them in the best positions possible, that they feel comfortable that they can go out and play the game,鈥� Gannon said. 鈥淏efore scheme, I truly believe it鈥檚 not what you play, it鈥檚 how you play.鈥�

Gannon comes to Green Bay after an unsuccessful head coaching stint. He went 15-36 at Arizona before late in his third season.

Before Gannon had a productive two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles鈥� defensive coordinator. The Eagles reached the Super Bowl, ranked second in the league in total defense and had a franchise-record 70 sacks 鈥� 15 more than any other NFL team 鈥� in Gannon鈥檚 final season with them.

Gannon described the interview process with Packers coach Matt LaFleur and how it made him eager to join his Green Bay staff.

鈥淚 think Matt鈥檚 a savant, so he can go from topic to topic to topic, and you鈥檝e got to be pretty wired up or you鈥檒l fall behind pretty quick,鈥� Gannon said. 鈥淚t was intense. I was sweating. I was in a coat and tie, and I think I was sweating a little bit. It was fun. It was fun. I got home off the plane and I told my wife, Gina, I said, 鈥楾his is where I want to go.鈥�”

Gannon takes over a defense that ranked 12th in yards allowed per game (311.8), ninth in yards allowed per play (5.0) and 11th in points allowed per game (21.2) last season. That defense wasn鈥檛 the same after All-Pro pass rusher tore his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that occurred during the first of Green Bay鈥檚 to end the season.

Parsons has said he hopes to be back for the start of the 2026 season, but has indicated a is more likely. Gannon believes Green Bay鈥檚 defense has plenty of other productive players to go along with Parsons.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a good mix of some younger players, (and) we鈥檝e got some vets that are some really good players 鈥� that sweet spot,鈥� Gannon said. 鈥�(Safety Xavier) McKinney, you think he鈥檚 been playing forever because he鈥檚 such a high performing vet, but he鈥檚 still pretty young. And then you got some guys that are younger and in their first contract that have played really good football.鈥�

Green Bay鈥檚 defense has some new faces who are familiar with Gannon. Linebacker began his NFL career in Indianapolis when Gannon was coaching the Colts鈥� defensive backs. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave had a career-high 11 sacks as part of Gannon鈥檚 Philadelphia defense in 2022.

Gannon knows the type of defense he wants to see. He believes the Packers have the pieces in place to play that style, no matter how they line up.

鈥淚 think that鈥檚 what a good defense looks like 鈥� a fast, violent, physical team that takes the ball away,鈥� Gannon said.

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