The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Green Bay Packers and preview how it might perform this season.
Green Bay Packers 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
Green Bay ranked 11th in yards per carry allowed to running backs (4.1) last season and fifth in explosive run rate allowed on those carries. The Packers were forced into a coordinator change this offseason, replacing now Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley with former Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon. Gannon should bring more of a 3-4 base look to Green Bay’s defense, which the Cardinals used at the highest rate in the league last year. That was still only 37% of their defensive plays, but it will require an adjustment for the roster.
Green Bay looks good atop the defensive line depth chart with Devonte Wyatt returning from injury and Javon Hargrave joining in free agency. They also added Chris McClellan in the third round. Wyatt did not have his best season as a pass rusher last year even before going down with injury, but he has an excellent (for an interior lineman) 12.8% career pressure rate.
The Packers ranked ninth in pressure rate (39.4%) last season but just 20th with 36 sacks. Micah Parsons was having a great first season with the team (19.4% pressure rate) before suffering a torn ACL in Week 15. On top of that injury, Green Bay traded Rashan Gary and lost Kingsley Enagbare in free agency. Lukas Van Ness was limited to just nine games last season, and he was just a rotational player when active. A fourth-round pick last year, Barryn Sorrell did get some playing time, but he only posted a 6.2% pressure rate on a limited sample.
Green Bay lost Quay Walker in free agency, but they traded for Zaire Franklin to help fill that gap at linebacker. Franklin should start next to Edgerrin Cooper, who was second on the defense in snaps last season. Cooper allowed just 4.8 yards per target in coverage as a sophomore.
The Packers allowed just 6.4 yards per pass attempt (6th) last season, but they finished 24th in EPA allowed per pass. Keisean Nixon took a step back last season despite making his first Pro Bowl, allowing 6 touchdowns and a 105.1 quarterback rating in his coverage. Carrington Valentine had a tougher go, giving up 7 touchdowns and a 121.2 quarterback rating. Green Bay added Benjamin St-Juste in free agency, but their biggest addition was Brandon Cisse in the second round.
Unlike at cornerback, the Packers have no issues at safety. While he did not match the 8 interceptions of his first season in Green Bay, Xavier McKinney has lived up to the billing as an impact free agent addition. Evan Williams took a step forward as a sophomore, finishing ninth among defensive backs in run stuffs. Javon Bullard took over the slot corner role last season to good success, and it is likely the new defensive coaching staff keeps him there.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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