Packers’ $23 million free agent addition is counting on a familiar connection to help unlock his full potential in Green Bay
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave signed with the Packers after being released by the Minnesota Vikings, and he will play for Jonathan Gannon again.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has already played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings. But his best days in the NFL came in Philly, playing under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
So when the Vikings released him this past offseason and the Packers came calling, reuniting with Gannon in Green Bay was an automatic decision.
“It was for multiple reasons,” Hargrave told Packers.com right after signing about why he chose them. “One, it’s a great football team. They’ve got a great tradition. My old DC, Jonathan Gannon, was a big factor too. I had my best years with him, and he’s definitely a good friend that I’ve kept up with over the years. He was one of the big reasons as well.”
Maximizing the talent
Hargrave played on the Eagles for three seasons, the final two of them with Gannon as his defensive coordinator. Those were the two seasons where the interior defensive lineman generated his highest pressure numbers in the NFL — 61 in 2021 and 57 in 2022. Those performances and a Super Bowl appearance led him to sign a four-year, $84 million contract with the 49ers in free agency.
“He did a lot of things to give me options,” Hargrave added. “I think his defense fit some of my style and what I like to do.”
When asked about what his style of play is, Hargrave was clear about what makes his game impactful on the field.
“Violent,” he said. “Technique-wise, quick twitch, strong. I feel like I’m a great football player.”
Necessary impact
Over the past two years, the Packers lost TJ Slaton, Kenny Clark, and Colby Wooden at the defensive tackle position. Even though they drafted Chris McClellan in the third round, getting an impactful and all-around veteran interior defensive lineman was key for maximizing the defensive roster in 2026.
That’s why the Packers gave Hargrave a two-year, $23 million deal in free agency. He fit what the Packers wanted for multiple reasons. First, he’s not a great run defender anymore, but he’s still better than what the roster had. Second, because Hargrave was released by the Vikings, the signing doesn’t affect the Packers’ compensatory pick formula.
Green Bay needed help, and Hargrave has the talent and the schematic fit to make it happen.