Jonathan Gannon’s first press conference tells us how to evaluate him

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Matt Lafleur of the Green Bay Packers and head coach Jonathan Gannon of the Arizona Cardinals talk before a game at State Farm Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images “It’s a player’s game, man. ” If there was a bottom line to Jonathan Gannon’s introductory press conference this week (if you can really introduce a coach who’s been with an organization for about four months), it was that.

Gannon wants to put his new players in positions to succeed, and he’ll leave no stone unturned as he looks for the right combination of players to make it happen. “Everybody fits into winning. Everybody’s role might be different, but it all fits into winning, and you have to perform your role at a high level.

” The famously schemeless Gannon doubled down on his scheme-agnostic philosophy every chance he got, telling assembled reporters he’s not married to any schematic identity. He doesn’t care what plays he runs or if you call his defense a 4-3 or 3-4; he just wants to help his players do well, because that’s how the defense does well. He did reveal some preferences; he likes his defensive linemen big, when possible (“I do think it’s a big man’s game, especially late in the year”) and he’ll have his edge rushers (peep the roster page at Packers.

com when you get a chance; it’s edges all the way down now ) stand up if that’s what they’re more comfortable with. But we’ll have to wait and see what the rest of the defense amounts to, because the beat writers weren’t asking specifics and Gannon wasn’t telling. I don’t buy the idea that the Packers have some state secrets to protect on defense.