GREEN BAY, Wis. — New Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has a simple message for his players: "You are under no obligation to be the person you were five minutes ago."

It's a philosophy that speaks to growth, adaptability, and continuous improvement — and it applies to everyone in the building.

"I said it for the players, but it's for us, too," Gannon said during his first media session since taking the job three months ago. "And what that's basically saying is grow and adapt and get better. And if we all have that mindset and can continually stick to the process, we'll get better."

For a defensive coordinator stepping into a new system, that adaptability is more than just a motto — it's the foundation of his entire approach.

The Packers have been through a defensive identity shift in recent years. Under Jeff Hafley, who left to become head coach of the Miami Dolphins after two seasons, Green Bay ran a 4-3 scheme. Before that, Joe Barry's defenses from 2021-2023 were built around a 3-4 alignment. Now, Gannon is promising something different: a scheme built around the players, not the other way around.

"I don't really get caught up in 4-3, 3-4," Gannon said. "We're an NFL-style defense hopefully, right? I just believe that you've got to continually every year try to adapt and solve problems and really with your guys in mind."

While Gannon has specific principles he likes to utilize, he's clear that he won't force a square peg into a round hole. The goal is to put players in positions where they can thrive.

"We've got to put them in the best positions possible, that they feel comfortable that they can go out and play the game," Gannon said. "Before scheme, I truly believe it's not what you play, it's how you play."

Gannon arrives in Green Bay after a challenging head coaching tenure with the Arizona Cardinals, where he went 15-36 before being fired late in his third season. But before that, he was a rising star in the coaching ranks. As defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, he helped lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance, overseeing a unit that ranked second in the NFL in total defense and set a franchise record with 70 sacks.

Now, he's bringing that experience and a player-first mindset to Lambeau Field — and Packers fans have reason to be excited about what's ahead.