With Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon in the building, the Packers are looking to revamp their defense in 2026. Last year’s plague of injuries decimated the disruption that the Packers defensive front was showing early in the season. While we are all hoping for a speedy return for Micah Parsons, there’s another big return that should get Packers fans psyched.
That of course is the return of Devonte Wyatt.
Especially since Wyatt will have a vet with him in the trenches in 2026 circa DL Javon Hargrave. Here’s a look at the Packers new two men wrecking crew.
Packers Making The Inside Match The Outside
The Packers have spent the past several seasons searching for a defensive front capable of consistently dictating games instead of reacting to them. The days of having a true Nose Tackle clogging up the middle seem to be gone. This was further cemented in my mind when the Packers opted to select DL Chris McClellan instead of Dominique “Big Citrus” Orange in this years draft. This tells me that the Packers are valuing versatility over specialty
Most folks are debating what the edge rushing tandem will look like in 2026. I would argue that the pairing of Devonte Wyatt and veteran Javon Hargrave is just as pivotal. Here’s what Gutey had to say about bringing in Hargrave:
“I think he’s really versatile. He’s one of those guys who can play up and down the line along with [Devonte Wyatt]. Those guys are going to play a lot of snaps for us, God willing.”
Wyatt was playing some of the best football of his career before a season ending leg injury cut short a breakout campaign in 2025. Now healthy, he returns alongside one of the NFL’s most accomplished interior defenders in Javon Hargrave.
Hargrave’s arrival gives Green Bay an experienced difference maker, capable of collapsing the pocket while holding his own against the run. The combination gives defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon the versatility to move both players across the front, creating favorable matchups without sacrificing physicality.
Playing Fast And Free
For Wyatt, the biggest benefit may be the freedom that comes with no longer being the sole focal point of opposing interior protection schemes.
The duo creates a serious conondrum for offensive coordinators.
Shifting the line toward Hargrave risks leaving Wyatt isolated against a guard, a matchup he has consistently won with his first step quickness and explosiveness.
Shift protection toward Wyatt, and Hargrave has repeatedly shown throughout his career that he can punish 1×1 blocking with interior pressure that forces quarterbacks off their spot.
Few things disrupt a passing game more than pressure up the middle, and Green Bay suddenly has two lineman capable of producing it on the same snap. That interior disruption should also create cleaner opportunities for the Packers edge rushers, making the pass rush more dangerous as a collective unit instead of relying on one player to generate pressure…..
Looking Ahead
Devonte will be entering into that all important 5th year and will no doubt be a locker room leader. Hargrave’s experience, strength at the point of attack, and positional flexibility should stabilize the interior, allowing Wyatt to play aggressively. The result could be a defensive line that not only creates splash plays but also wins the early downs that determine games in January.
If Wyatt resumes the trajectory he showed before his injury and Hargrave performs anywhere near the Pro Bowl level that has defined much of his career, the Packers won’t simply have upgraded their defensive line, they’ll have built one of the NFC’s most disruptive interior tandems. That may ultimately prove to be the biggest reason Green Bay takes another step toward championship contention this season.
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