It has been roughly a month since the Green Bay Packers hired Jonathan Gannon to be the team’s new defensive coordinator. While Gannon has yet to hold an introductory press conference to discuss his plans for the defense in depth, we can determine players which players could benefit from Gannon’s system based on his past coaching stops and comments made by GM Brian Gutekunst at his press conferences at the Scouting Combine. So, here are five Packers players who could benefit from new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.

Five Packers Who Could Benefit From New Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Number Five: Lukas Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness will likely be taking over as the starter at edge rusher opposite Micah Parsons. We still don’t know with certainty whether the Packers base defense will be a 3-4 or a 4-3, but either way, Van Ness will see a larger role and should get a chance to shine.

Van Ness’ ability to play both on the edge and to rush the passer from the defensive tackle position should give him more opportunities to pressure the quarterback in 2026.

This will be a critical year for Van Ness, who will be a starter for the first time in his career. He will also likely be playing for a second contract with the Packers regardless of whether or not Gutekunst picks up his fifth-year option this offseason.

Number Four: Xavier McKinney

Xavier McKinney saw his play fall off a bit in 2025 after being named first team All Pro in 2024. He was still a second team All Pro despite his interception total falling from eight to two. McKinney graded out well again this season according to Pro Football Focus, although he dropped several passes that he could have picked off.

McKinney remains in his prime and gives the Packers elite safety play and leadership. Gannon often deployed three safeties on the field in his previous stops and will likely build his secondary around the safety position. McKinney remains the team’s best safety and he should benefit from the change in defensive coordinators.

Five Packers Who Could Benefit From New Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Number Three: Javon Bullard

Gannon emphasized safety play in his past coaching stops and Javon Bullard, who plays both safety and, in the slot, should see more chances to shine as a result.

Bullard does his best work close to the line of scrimmage. He’s also improved in pass coverage. If the Packers have three or even sometimes four safeties on the field, Bullard should see more playing time and get more opportunities to make plays.

Bullard should take another step forward in his third season. His ability to blitz the quarterback should expand under Gannon and his ability to make plays near the line of scrimmage should also be utilized more extensively.

Number Two: Evan Williams

As a safety, Evan Williams should also benefit from Gannon taking over as defensive coordinator. Williams took a big step forward in his second season in the NFL and led the Packers with three interceptions. He also broke up five passes and recovered a fumble.

Williams thrives close to the line of scrimmage like Bullard, but he has made more big plays than Bullard so far. If Gannon uses Williams in a similar fashion to how he used safeties in the past, Williams could make a lot more than four tackles for loss as he did in 2025.

Look for Williams to be a key player in Gannon’s safety-centric defense next season and beyond.

Five Packers Who Could Benefit From New Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Number One: Edgerrin Cooper

Edgerrin Cooper failed to take a big step forward last season despite seeing a drastic increase in playing time. It wasn’t that Cooper played poorly, but after the acquisition of Parsons shortly before the season opener, he was not used the same way as he was during his rookie campaign.

Cooper found himself blitzing less frequently and he was not asked to penetrate at the line of scrimmage as often either. As a result, Cooper’s sack total went down from 3.5 to 0.5 and his tackles for loss were reduced from 13 in 2024 to just four in 2025.

In addition to Gannon utilizing Cooper in a more constructive way, the potential departure of Quay Walker via free agency can also increase Cooper’s role in the defense.

Look for Cooper to benefit from the change in defensive coordinators. If he does, he could be in for a monster season in 2026.

 

 

 

 

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