New coordinator Jonathan Gannon is revolutionizing the Green Bay Packers' secondary, unleashing a versatile three-safety nickel package that empowers playmakers to rotate roles and disrupt offenses with aggressive physicality.
The Green Bay Packers are experimenting with some new looks early on in training camp.
The second day of practice just wrapped up, so it's worth noting that we're right in the infancy of the Packers' preparations for the 2026 season.
There was always reason to believe that the Green Bay defense would look different in 2026, of course. Old defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, while former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has replaced him in Green Bay.
The scheme was always going to look a bit different, and the early indications right after the hiring of Gannon were that he preferred to use a "multiple" defensive look that could change snap after snap.
We also knew he prefers to really lean on his safeties, and according to team writer Wes Hodkiewicz, that's something that is already standing out as the Packers work through their new defense at Ray Nitschke Field.
The five-defensive-back "nickel" package featuring three safeties appears to be a staple of Gannon's defense in Green Bay. As long as everyone stays healthy, this package will highlight three of the Packers' best defenders in Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams and Javon Bullard.
McKinney mentioned after practice right away that this nickel package is one of the main difference between Hafley and Gannon, and he seems thrilled with the change.
"Obviously we got this three-safety look going on, which we love it right now and I think we're gonna continue to love it," McKinney said, per Hodkiewicz. "It's gonna progress and get better as we learn different spots. We're all able to move around and do different things. I'd say that's the biggest thing as of right now."
McKinney made his second straight All-Pro team last season with the Packers and Williams, a fourth round pick out of Oregon in 2024, is considered one of the best young up-and-coming defenders in the NFL.
Last season, Williams notched 48 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defended as opposing offenses did their best to try to stay away from McKinney. He still finished with two interceptions, 10 passes defended and one forced fumble, but McKinney's eight interceptions in 2024 really made it so that quarterbacks were avoiding throwing his way.
Then there's Bullard, a 2024 second-round pick out of Georgia who may be one of the most physical slot players in the league. The Packers are extremely high on Bullard and he's got the mentality to be a leader for this defensive unit. On day two, he punched out a football in the 11-on-11 period that McKinney was able to jump on.
Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20) reacts after making a tackle for loss against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 28-21. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.That's something Bullard said he's been working on.
"It's definitely something that I'm trying to put in my bag, just watching guys, especially linebackers," Bullard said. "Like Fred Warner, he's a pro at it. But really just keeping your mind on the ball at all times. I gotta get the ball. We need the ball as a defense. We're trying to take the ball away at any moment. It can change games, man."
Getting all three on the field together as much as possible is an extremely smart call from Gannon, so it will be interesting to see how this package develops throughout the course of training camp.
