Jonathan Gannon Hired by Packers as Defensive Coordinator Following Cardinals Head Coach Dismissal

By Alison Rosen | January 25, 2026

The Green Bay Packers have hired Jonathan Gannon as their defensive coordinator, bringing in the former Arizona Cardinals head coach to replace Jeff Hafley. Gannon interviewed with the Packers this week after completing conversations with the Dallas Cowboys and will now join Matt LaFleur’s coaching staff.

The hire marks a significant move for both Gannon and Green Bay. After three disappointing seasons in Arizona that ended with a 3-14 record in 2025, Gannon bounces back into a prominent defensive coordinator role with a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Gannon’s Coaching Journey

Gannon has an impressive defensive résumé despite his failed tenure as Cardinals head coach. His most notable success came during two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator from 2021-2023, where he built one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL.

In his second season with Philadelphia, Gannon’s defense ranked second in total yards and eighth in points allowed while recording a franchise-record 70 sacks. That defense featured multiple impact pass rushers including Haason Reddick (16 sacks), Javon Hargrave, Brandon Graham, and Fletcher Cox, all recording double-digit sacks. The Eagles rode that dominant defense to a Super Bowl appearance, though they fell short against Kansas City.

Before Philadelphia, Gannon worked as a defensive backs coach under Mike Zimmer in Minnesota and with Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis, learning from elite defensive minds during his rise up the coaching ranks.

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What Went Wrong in Arizona

When the Cardinals hired Gannon as head coach in 2023, expectations were high. He would be responsible for both offense and defense while managing the entire operation, a different challenge than calling defensive plays.

The results were disappointing. Gannon finished 15-36 over three seasons in Arizona, including a disastrous 3-15 record against NFC West competition. In 2025, the Cardinals lost nine straight games and finished 3-14.

Injuries plagued the Cardinals throughout Gannon’s tenure, with 25 players on injured reserve by season’s end and over 30 total spending time on various injury lists. Still, the wins and losses didn’t meet expectations.

“Jonathan is a very smart, motivated, enthusiastic, intelligent, awesome coach. He made us better. But this is a league about wins and losses,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said when announcing the firing. “The wins and losses speak for themselves, especially this year. We felt we were going in the wrong direction and we needed to change course.”

Why the Packers Move Signals Confidence

Matt LaFleur’s decision to hire Gannon rather than promote internally or hire an unproven coordinator signals faith in Gannon’s defensive expertise. In a recent game, LaFleur praised Gannon’s defense, saying the Cardinals “did a hell of a job” keeping Packers offense from operating at full capacity.

“From an offensive standpoint, it was a very frustrating day overall,” LaFleur said after Green Bay’s 27-23 win against Arizona. “I got a lot of respect for those guys.”

Gannon interviewed for multiple defensive coordinator openings after being fired including with Dallas and the Packers competed to land him. This suggests NFL teams still value his defensive mind highly despite his head coaching failure.

The Defensive Coordinator Role Suits Gannon

Returning to defensive coordinator is likely a better fit for Gannon than being a head coach. His real strength lies in designing and calling defensive schemes and developing defensive talent, not managing a 53-man roster and all the complexities of being a head coach.

As defensive coordinator under a proven head coach like LaFleur, Gannon can focus on what he does best: building a dominant defense with the talent Green Bay provides.

What This Means for the Packers

The Packers replace Jeff Hafley, who left to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins, with a proven defensive coordinator who has built championship-caliber defenses before. Hafley held the position for two seasons before departing.

Gannon takes over a Green Bay defense that will feature elite talent. Micah Parsons is expected to return from injury during the 2026 season, potentially mid-year. The Packers’ defensive infrastructure and talent gives Gannon an opportunity to rebuild his coaching reputation after the Arizona disaster.

Candidates Gannon Beat Out

Gannon faced competition from other defensive coordinator candidates including Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones and Eagles passing game coordinator Christian Parker. Both also interviewed for the Packers job. The fact that Gannon won out over these candidates, despite his recent head coaching failure, demonstrates that teams still view him as a top defensive mind.

Looking Ahead

If Gannon succeeds as Packers defensive coordinator and helps build an elite defense, he may position himself for another head coaching opportunity down the line. However, the focus for now is purely on defense.

For the Packers, hiring Gannon represents confidence that they can compete at the highest level with an improved defensive coordinator. For Gannon, it’s a chance to resurrect his coaching career after a rough three-year stint in Arizona.