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Rob Demowski
Green Bay, Wis. — The PACKERS have agreed to terms with the former Cardinals Coach Jonathan Gannon will be his defensive coordinator, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
Gannon succeeds Jeff Hafley, who became miami dolphins‘ head coach last week after running the Packers defense for two seasons.
In Green Bay, Gannon will take over a defense that includes current first-team All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons and second-team All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney. He will become coach Matt LaFleur’s fourth defensive coordinator in eight seasons in Green Bay.
After Hafley’s successful two-year tenure, two coordinators were let go: Mike Pettine and Joe Barry.
Gannon was fired by the Cardinals after a 3–14 record this season and went 15–36 in three seasons as Arizona coach. A source told ESPN that LaFleur “liked the fact [Gannon has] I sat down [head coach’s] Chair.”
A source also said that Gannon was receiving interest from both Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh for their respective defensive coordinator positions. los angeles chargers And New York GiantsAnd if the Packers had waited longer, they might have lost to Gannon.
However, now hiring Gannon has prevented the Packers from interviewing denver broncos Assistant head coach/defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard for this assignment.
While there was mutual interest between Wisconsin natives and former LaFleur and Leonhard bear Players and coaches The Packers could not interview him because the Broncos are playing in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.
The only time during which the Packers could have previously interviewed Leonhard was during the opening week of the playoffs, when the top-seeded Broncos had a bye. only then dallas cowboys He interviewed him for their defensive coordinator position, but at the time, Hafley had not yet left the Packers.
Before hiring Gannon, known candidates LaFleur interviewed included Christian Parker, who was named Cowboys defensive coordinator. Chicago Bears pass game coordinator Al Harris (a former Packers cornerback) and minnesota vikings Pass game coordinator Daronte Jones. A source said LaFleur also interviewed each of his defensive assistant coaches.
Gannon, 43, spent two seasons (2021-22) philadelphia eagles‘Defensive coordinator. The Eagles finished in the top 10 in total defense in all of those seasons, finishing second in 2022, when they led the NFL in fewest passing yards and sacks, while also finishing fourth in interceptions. Like Hafley, Gannon had previous experience coaching defensive backs.
A source said LaFleur was still “working” on an additional change to his coaching staff for 2026.
La Fleur Signed a multi-year contract extension With the Packers more than a week ago. General manager Brian Gutekunst and vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball are expected to get new deals soon.
