Packers Defense: Jonathan Gannon has a lot of answers

Former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley typically called defenses using predictable structures, primarily out of a 4-3 base and nickel defense. However, Jonathan Gannon, who runs a 3-4 base defense, promised a more diverse set of answers. The Packers' defense featured several variations of the 3-4 family and nickel family structures during a game against the Minnesota Vikings.

In the 3-4 family, the Packers fielded two edge defenders, three interior defensive linemen, and two off-ball linebackers in the box. Gannon added a sixth player, Will linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, to address heavier formations with obvious running situations. Cooper would drop down on the edge to replace the reduced weak-side edge defender, effectively clogging running lanes at the point of attack without giving away the Packers' new personnel package.

In the nickel family, the Packers fielded two edge defenders, two interior defensive linemen, and two off-ball linebackers. The Nickelback, safety Javon Bullard, replaced the strong-side linebacker in this formation, creating a more flexible defensive arrangement. Gannon introduced various subpackages from this group, such as the penny defense, which operated as a 3-4 defense with a single off-ball linebacker, and the penny defense out of nickel personnel, which featured edge defender Lukas Van Ness moving inside to take a defensive tackle position.

The Packers also used a three-off-ball-linebacker set in one instance, against screens and draws, to help run and chase on tackles. This unique set-up allowed the team to respond to specific situations, such as two-receiver sets played in obvious passing situations or heavy offenses in pass downs.