Jonathan Gannon new Packer DC

[NC_Cheese_Fan_100]

This article seems to support the conclusion that Walker has played his last game as a Packer.

Packers' Linebacker Grades Leave Quay Walker Free Agency Decision Crystal Clear

Time to rip off the Band-aid. Quay Walker's name carries more weight than his game for the Green Bay Packers. After a lackluster, if not downright dismal

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[McKnowledge]

When did Gannon win a Super Bowl as a HC or DC? The Eagles went to the Super Bowl with Gannon as the DC but lost to the Chiefs 38-35.

If the Packers went with the 'safe' choice as you say, is that what they need right now? I don't think a team that finished 0-5 should be prioritizing the 'safe' choice.

I don't disagree but Gannon and MLF went 0-14 in their last 14 games and blew 14 games last season leading or tied in the 4th quarter. Really, how 'safe' is it to put two coaches with notorious 4th quarter teams together?

Thanks for the correction. My mistake.

Gannon was DC for a Super Bowl appearing defense.

I never said I like this pick. In fact, I stated the opposite.

MLF is going to make choices based on who he likes and how they fit his personality not necessarily what’s best for the team.

It’s a safe pick because it’s safe for MLF.

 

[McKnowledge]

I'd absolutely shocked to see Quay on this roster next season. That would mean they're paying him $15mil/yr, which would be asinine for his production relative to our cap figures. I'd much rather spend that money on a CB and roll with Hopper

I think Quay will come back.

Rashan Gary should get traded or cut allocating the money elsewhere.

I think Quay and Coop complement each other very well.

LB corp was a strength and not a weakness, which hasn’t been the case for almost a decade.

There will be cuts and trades on both sides of the ball.

Coaching hires/fires aside, the construction of the roster is the most important.

 

[milani]

I also post on Football's Future and one Bears fan is not happy we hired Gannon.

I suppose he wanted us to hire Nagy.

 

[milani]

Thanks for the correction. My mistake.

Gannon was DC for a Super Bowl appearing defense.

I never said I like this pick. In fact, I stated the opposite.

MLF is going to make choices based on who he likes and how they fit his personality not necessarily what’s best for the team.

It’s a safe pick because it’s safe for MLF.

The Eagles won a previous SB just BEFORE Gannon got there against New England.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

I think Gannon was hired to implement the defense we already have in place.... They noted, he is capable of coaching any defense and isn't committed to one a scheme. .... Speaks to me of what they were looking for.

Retain what we have. Get a new manager.......

I'm very happy.

Al Harris would e been an excellent developmental DC. But I'm leaning heavily towards winning it all in 2026.

No rebuilds.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Less than 90 minutes after this thread is started...we coulda had Jim Leonhard if we'd waited

 

[BrokenArrow]

Certainly not yet. His track record as the Packers DC will have to determine whether hiring him was positive.

My default position given MLF's record in hiring coordinators is poor until proven otherwise. The 4th quarter meltdowns by the Cardinals last season reinforces that default position.

I prefer to judge a man by his own merit, not by the merit of others, but okay. So who did you want him to hire?

 

[DoURant]

Less than 90 minutes after this thread is started...we coulda had Jim Leonhard if we'd waited

Or 8 hours ago, I'm on Eastern time, and posted the following this morning. All they did was rename this thread to Gannons name. It makes me think they probably had a deal working late last night... Anyway, we don't know that Leonhard would have taken a job with us. He turned MLF down 2 years ago. Since we announced the hiring of Gannon this morning, John Harbaugh hired his DC, Dennard Wilson, and it was rumored he was interested in Gannon for his DC.

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[AKCheese]

Less than 90 minutes after this thread is started...we coulda had Jim Leonhard if we'd waited

Last time Green Bay went with Leonhard didn’t he say “meh… nah… I was just doing the interview for practice”

 

[Sanguine camper]

I’d be much more inclined to give you an “agree” if we hired Gannon to replace Matt. I think you’re putting way too much weight on Gannon’s Head Coaching record myself. There have been plenty of good Coordinators that’s sucked as Head Coaches or Vise Versa. That doesn’t (or shouldn’t) negate their entire Coaching Career.



I will say that I think that a coaches experience level is often underestimated (not suggesting you said that just making a general point) One thing I do think is advantageous is that the longer a Coach at the Professional level, the greater the contact list they grow. Much of being a great Coordinator comes down to assembling a great Staff. The more people you’ve worked with the larger the pool of potential assistant coaching attraction you possess. It’ll be interesting to see who he brings in (poaches) from around the league.

How much the unsuccessful tenure as HC impacts Gannon's performance as a DC is certainly questionable. The point I was trying to make is that I don't see where his record as HC will help with the Packers two biggest problems.

The Packers desperately need a culture change. They have a history of choking. While Gannon might be OK as a coordinator, his record at Arizona just doesn't inspire confidence that much is going to change in Green Bay.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Thanks for the correction. My mistake.

Gannon was DC for a Super Bowl appearing defense.

I never said I like this pick. In fact, I stated the opposite.

MLF is going to make choices based on who he likes and how they fit his personality not necessarily what’s best for the team.

It’s a safe pick because it’s safe for MLF.

Couldn't have said it better myself. !!!

 

[tynimiller]

Gannon wasn't my top choice (Parker) but I do prefer him over Harris or Leonard personally.

Gannon's 2022 year with Philly:

- Led the league with fewest yards allowed per play
- 4th in turnovers with 27 forced
- Gave up the fewest passing yards
-17th best rush defense in yards given up
- 5th most INTs
- 6th best in percentage of drives ending in a score given up
- 3rd most season sacks by a team ever

He's had solid DB groups in his career which was his primary coaching path for years.

It of course isn't awesome that Arizona sucked so much under him....but he inherited an undisciplined group and situation...was given two years and no real overhaul allowed...talk about a handcuffed situation.

 

[BrokenArrow]

It of course isn't awesome that Arizona sucked so much under him....but he inherited an undisciplined group and situation...was given two years and no real overhaul allowed...talk about a handcuffed situation.

This is exactly why nobody should ever take a job for any of the perpetual loser teams, which includes the Browns, Cardinals, and Jets. They all have horrible ownership who have no patience for reform. Gannon had the Cardinals on the right track with 8 wins last year. This year he started out 2-3 with Murray. Two of those losses were against playoff teams losing by 1 AT SF and by 3 to the likely Super Bowl champs Seattle. Then when Murray went down (again) he was stuck with Mr. Mediocrity himself, Brissett the rest of the season. Arizona's impatience has no bearing on Gannon's abilities as a DC.

I see a few people saying things like "Gannon must suck because MLF sucks and MLF hired him." Well, Hafley didn't suck. And I'm just about 100% sure those same people wouldn't be singing that tune if MLF had hired the guy THEY wanted, whether it be Leonhard, Harris, Parker, or Santa Claus. In that case, those same ones would be talking about how MLF finally went with the best guy for the job.

 

[Pugger]

Is the fascination/appeal of Leonard because he is a native son? He turned MLF down once before so I can understand why Matt may not have been eager to go that route this go around. If Matt wanted to interview Leonard he would waited until after yesterday's games.

I'll say it again- often a guy is better suited to be a coordinator rather than a HC. We've seen other coaches flounder as the top guy but thrive as an assistant. Gannon had success as a DC so let's wait and see how his defenses perform here before we run him out of town on a rail.

 

[tynimiller]

Is the fascination/appeal of Leonard because he is a native son? He turned MLF down once before so I can understand why Matt may not have been eager to go that route this go around. If Matt wanted to interview Leonard he would waited until after yesterday's games.

I'll say it again- often a guy is better suited to be a coordinator rather than a HC. We've seen other coaches flounder as the top guy but thrive as an assistant. Gannon had success as a DC so let's wait and see how his defenses perform here before we run him out of town on a rail.

There has never, I repeat never, been confirmation out of either camp that Leonard turned the job down. It was either Huber or Demovsky however did confirm that they were told from organization he was a finalist in their candidates but did not get it offered.

 

[Pugger]

There has never, I repeat never, been confirmation out of either camp that Leonard turned the job down. It was either Huber or Demovsky however did confirm that they were told from organization he was a finalist in their candidates but did not get it offered.

OIC

 

[tynimiller]

@Pugger is absolutely right though as well about not ever Coordinator that excels is gifted at being the HC. I argue Gannon was set up for failure and trying to overhaul Cardinals should have been given four years minimum.

 

[Sanguine camper]

This is exactly why nobody should ever take a job for any of the perpetual loser teams, which includes the Browns, Cardinals, and Jets. They all have horrible ownership who have no patience for reform. Gannon had the Cardinals on the right track with 8 wins last year. This year he started out 2-3 with Murray. Two of those losses were against playoff teams losing by 1 AT SF and by 3 to the likely Super Bowl champs Seattle. Then when Murray went down (again) he was stuck with Mr. Mediocrity himself, Brissett the rest of the season. Arizona's impatience has no bearing on Gannon's abilities as a DC.

I see a few people saying things like "Gannon must suck because MLF sucks and MLF hired him." Well, Hafley didn't suck. And I'm just about 100% sure those same people wouldn't be singing that tune if MLF had hired the guy THEY wanted, whether it be Leonhard, Harris, Parker, or Santa Claus. In that case, those same ones would be talking about how MLF finally went with the best guy for the job.

I'm a huge Jimmy Leonhard fan. His track record speaks for itself. Everywhere he goes, the defenses get better real fast. Had MLF hired him, I would've been happy and given him his credit.

The Packers have now combined two coaches with a penchant for melting down in the 4th quarter. Gannon was hampered at QB in Arizona but his teams were still good enough to take a lead or tie in the 4th quarter. The Cardinals didn't just choke with Brisette in 2025, the second half of the 2024 season had more than its share of 4th quarter ineptitude.

It's not all about the X's and O's. Football is still a game where the intangibles make a difference. I don't think MLF and Gannon put enough importance in that. That said, Maybe Gannon will be ok as a DC. How bad can you be when you have Micah Parsons if he comes back strong?

I just see Gannon as more of the same. Don't expect the Packers to change much in 2026. They show no signs that they won't continue to lose focus and intensity and make stupid mistakes.

 

[BrokenArrow]

I'm a huge Jimmy Leonhard fan. His track record speaks for itself. Everywhere he goes, the defenses get better real fast. Had MLF hired him, I would've been happy and given him his credit.

You said, "My default position given MLF's record in hiring coordinators is poor until proven otherwise." You can't have it both ways. That literally means that you think anyone he hires is poor. But not if he hired YOUR guy, right?

 

[BrokenArrow]

@Pugger is absolutely right though as well about not ever Coordinator that excels is gifted at being the HC. I argue Gannon was set up for failure and trying to overhaul Cardinals should have been given four years minimum.

Anyone who takes that job is set up for failure.

 

[tynimiller]

Anyone who takes that job is set up for failure.

Yup. If Arizona called and truly wanted me - I'd be like okay, but I want in writing of somekind that if you terminate me before the deal is done I get a massive payment because you have laid the ground work for not letting someone build their system.

 

[AmishMafia]

@Pugger is absolutely right though as well about not ever Coordinator that excels is gifted at being the HC. I argue Gannon was set up for failure and trying to overhaul Cardinals should have been given four years minimum.

HC is a different set of skills than a coordinator. Coordinator is Xs and Os and the HC is more managing, organizing, and big picture stuff.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Hafley is gone. Hate too see him go, but he did much better in year 1 than year 2. Not sure what the trajectory was there.

But who is going to be the replacement.

I have 3 names on my list.

Jim Schwartz
Raheem Morris
Jim Leonard

There are a few others, but I hope these 3 should be at the top of the list. In which order, I keep flipping back and forth.

Schwartz had so much success in Cleveland. Morris always seemed to develop a lot of players. Leonard is a hometown favorite who always seemed to achieve and is well loved by his players.

Then there is Al Harris and Deronte Jones from Minnesota. There are probably a few more out there. And I never considered Hafley, mostly because I never heard of him, when we hired him.

I hope we act fast as these guys are going to get snapped up as the HC positions get filled.

Sounds like MLF did act fast to lock up Gannon. Seems like a good move. I think his defense was pretty good when he was Dc in Philly.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Thanks for the correction. My mistake.

Gannon was DC for a Super Bowl appearing defense.

I never said I like this pick. In fact, I stated the opposite.

MLF is going to make choices based on who he likes and how they fit his personality not necessarily what’s best for the team.

It’s a safe pick because it’s safe for MLF.

That would be like a roll of the dice. I hope MLF has learned his lesson about hiring friends as a top priority. That said, Gannon was the DC for Philly in the SB, although they lost the game.