Surprising direction in the Packers DC search reveals how Matt LaFleur is shaping the next phase

cbarto66 | 01/26/2026

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By: Wendell Ferrreira

Surprising direction in the Packers DC search reveals how Matt LaFleur is shaping the next phase

Matt LaFleur hired Jonathan Gannon rather than wait for Jim Leonhard.

Matt LaFleur has made a decision, and he’s chosen his fourth defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. After Mike Pettine, Joe Barry, and Jeff Hafley, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon will be the architect and play-caller for the Packers’ defense moving forward. LaFleur wanted experience, and this is how he will shape the staff.

Instead of waiting for Jim Leonhard, as was expected, LaFleur made a final decision on Sunday and landed Gannon, who reached a Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator three years ago.

The Packers also interviewed Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker (who later took the Cowboys’ DC job), Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones, and Chicago Bears defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Al Harris.

Gannon brings DC and HC experience

A 43-year-old coach, Gannon, started in this profession back in 2003. He quickly climbed the ladder and had his first NFL opportunity in 2007 as an Atlanta Falcons’ defensive quality control coach. He had lower-level jobs with the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings, until becoming the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive backs coach in 2018 — a breakthrough moment in his NFL career.

Gannon was hired by Nick Sirianni to his original coaching staff on the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 as a defensive coordinator. He spent two years in Philly, reaching a Super Bowl. In that period, the Eagles’ defense was eighth in EPA/play and 19th in success rate.

Hired as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach in 2023, he couldn’t replicate the same results — mostly due to personnel deficiencies. The Cardinals were 30th in EPA/play over the past three years.

Defensive personnel

Now, Gannon will have the task to get more out of a talented but sometimes underwhelming defensive group — and possibly, returning to a 3-4 base defense. Having star edge rusher Micah Parsons and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt back from injury certainly helps, but there are still question marks on the interior defensive line and cornerback room in particular.

The top free agents of the unit are off-ball linebacker Quay Walker and rotational edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare. Players like edge defender Rashan Gary and cornerback Nate Hobbs are cut candidates due to cap considerations.

"I just wanted to let you know how completely happy we were with everything last weekend. Almost a year ago my sister-in-law and I set out to surprise her husband (Mike) with Packer tickets for his birthday in September. When we started out, my husband (Jim) said we’d never get tickets, and if we did, we would be so far away from the field we’d never see the game. He was TOTALLY WRONG! Every one of our expectations was greatly exceeded. Mike and Jim were blown away to say the least. All we heard all weekend was, you guys did a GREAT job planning this trip. Which really means EVENT USA did a GREAT job. Just saying THANK YOU doesn’t cover it. We all said let’s do this again and again. Thanks for making Mike’s and Jim’s childhood dreams come true."

-LeaAnn Thompson, Madison

"Just came back from your Lodge Kohler package for the Bengals game. Everything was terrific, a room facing the stadium, tickets in the third row. We book with you every year and that will continue. Thanks for all your hard work to make sure we had a great time. Excellent Job and many thanks!"

-Tom and Laura from Massachusetts

"We had the best time of our lives! Everything (staff, hotel, parties, game) was wonderful!!!"

--Lori Miller

"I had the GREATEST time ever at the Packers-Bills game! I took my Mother for her 70th birthday present to the game with me. She had so much fun at the tailgate party and at the game! And to see the Packers at Lambeau Field was the greatest! What wonderful seats you folks got us! We were so close to the field we could almost hear the players talking on the sidelines! Thanks again to Emilie for taking such great care of me and my mother. Thanks again to everyone there at Event USA!"

-Jeff Muetz

"I’m writing this Monday morning after the Packers Dallas game while I’m getting ready to head home. Just have to pass along a big Thank You to Amy and Nicole for helping to make this a very enjoyable trip. Nicole was fantastic. She responded very promptly and always provided my wife and me with good, detailed information. Amy was at the hotel in Fort Worth and on our bus to and from the game. She assisted in every way she could to make it our experience enjoyable, from storing items on the bus, making sure all passengers were accountable for, and doing it all with a smile. We have been going through Packer Fan Tours (Event USA) for about 15 years, and I can’t think of a single complaint. Please keep up the fantastic work, and we look forward to dealing with you again next year. Who knows, maybe even this season for the playoffs."

-—Lyle Peterson

"Amy – Just a note to say, Thank You and your hubby for a wonderful wonderful time in Jacksonville. Everything went off without a hitch. The tailgate party was awesome with great food from Morton’s. The only painful event was the game!! Oh well, we’ll rebound next Monday. This was our first time with Events USA but definitely will not be our last. We’ll recommend you folks to our friends as well. We have a longstanding routine for every home game but promise to check out your tailgate party at the distillery. Thanks again for your hospitality and professional. Hope you had safe travels home. GPG!"

-– Jim and Kathy Banks

"

Kudos to Amy for making sure that the tickets to the tailgate party were waiting for me at the reception desk! Your personal phone call and text messages went above and beyond customer satisfaction! I can't wait for the 2024 season, rest assured that my go-to Packer's game supplier will be Event USA for a long time.
"

-Jean-Pierre Mallette, Montréal, Canada

"Thank you so much Cathy, greatly appreciate your help. As always, EventUSA has been awesome to deal with in booking the Lodge Kohler package for the Tampa Bay Game, particularly for me traveling from Sydney, Australia, it takes the stress out of the booking process. "

-Kayle

"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time. One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA. "

-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida

"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"

-Matt

"Hi Amy- Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future! Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol! Go pack go!!"

-Julie Mastrianni

"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service. My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it. We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip. Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."

-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN

"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."

-Frank Chavez, Sacramento

"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."

-Beverley Moore, Lancaster

"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"

-David Anastas, Worchester

"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."

-Dick Koerner, Neenah

"I wish to convey my sincere thanks and gratitude for providing my husband and I with, what he refers to as the greatest experience of my life, apart from my wedding day."

-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario

"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."

-Sam Jones, Sedalia

"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."

-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor

"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."

-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly