Packers witness tangible progress from ascending defensive back, and that changes flexibility equation for 2026
Javon Bullard took a significant leap in Year 2.
For a draft and development team, leaps are as important as selecting players who could offer immediate impact. That’s the arc defensive back Javon Bullard has gone through for the Green Bay Packers, and his performance in 2025 left a positive feeling — and an exciting expectation for the next few seasons.
Rise without losing versatility
As a rookie, Bullard had to get used to adapting. Initially, he started at deep safety alongside Xavier McKinney, but eventually had to move to nickel due to injuries.
With the lack of cornerback depth and Evan Williams’ ascension, Bullard became a primary nickel (493), even though he still played 218 snaps as a safety. That versatility is a weapon, despite being a challenge early in his career.
“He can do both,” former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said during the season. “He’s the type of guy I’m confident playing back at safety, playing at nickel, he can do it all, he can play in the half, he can play in the middle of the field, he can insert in the run game and he can blitz.”
Looking at the numbers, his improvement is evident. The passer rating allowed when targeted went down from 121.4 to 92.1, the yards per reception allowed went from 10.5 to 6.9, the reception allowed percentage went from 83.6 to 75.4, and his PFF coverage grade went up from 46.9 to 67.2.
“There’s times we do want to get him back there (at safety) in certain situations and certain personnel groupings, or some down and distances, so we just try to rotate him in,” Hafley added. “He’s a player you don’t want to take off the field.”
Defensive backfield outlook
The Packers still have a lot of work to do in terms of roster-building, but it’s clear that Bullard will be an impactful part of the defensive backfield under new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon — in a system that tends to demand more from the cornerbacks.
With Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams playing at a high level, Bullard can be more available to play nickel. However, last year’s free agent addition Nate Hobbs is better suited to play in the slot as well, creating the possibility of a rotation.
Ultimately, it will depend on how general manager Brian Gutekunst attacks the offseason, and how much Hobbs will be forced to play boundary. Anyway, though, it’s comforting to have an ascending Javon Bullard in the fold — especially considering he was drafted in the same class when the Packers passed on Cooper DeJean.
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