Former Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon is “firmly in the mix” for the Green Bay Packers’ open defensive coordinator job, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Fowler mentioned Gannon in a section highlighting the Packers’ opening as the top defensive coordinator job this cycle, which isn’t surprising considering ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Gannon would interview with Matt LaFleur and the Packers on Thursday and Friday this week.
The Packers have interviewed Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, Bears defensive pass game coordinator Al Harris and former Eagles defensive pass game coordinator Christian Parker, although Parker agreed to become the next Cowboys defensive coordinator on Friday. The team is expected to interview Jim Leonhard, who was a top candidate for the job in 2021, and former Falcons coach Raheem Morris is a strong potential candidate given his background and relationship with LaFleur.
Gannon, 42, has a background in defensive backs and experience calling plays for a defense.
Gannon coordinated the Philadelphia Eagles defense for two seasons (2021-22) before becoming the Cardinals coach, a job he held for three seasons. Arizona fired him after Gannon won only 15 of 51 games between 2023 and 2025.
While in Philadelphia, Gannon coordinated a top-10 scoring defense and helped the Eagles get to the Super Bowl in 2022. But his defense was stacked with talent, especially up front, where Hassan Reddick, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham and Milton Williams led the way. While he did not call plays in Arizona, the Cardinals never ranked higher than 15th in scoring defense over Gannon’s three seasons, including a 29th placed finish in 2025. Only two teams — Carolina and Washington — gave up more points than Arizona over the last three seasons combined.
LaFleur is likely casting a wide net in his defensive coordinator search, but Gannon appears to be a top candidate for the job in the early stages.
The Packers are expected to wait to make a defensive coordinator decision until Leonhard, who is currently on staff for the Denver Broncos, is available for an interview.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Jonathan Gannon ‘firmly in the mix’ for Packers DC job
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
