- May 21, 2026
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The Jonathan Gannon-Kyler Murray partnership in Arizona ended with both men moving on after the 2025 season, but they'll be back together for the first game of their new starts.
Gannon is now the Packers' defensive coordinator, which means he'll be charged with slowing Murray down in his debut as the Vikings' starting quarterback. In a press conference this week, Gannon said that his experience coaching Murray left him aware of exactly what the defense has to be on guard for on Sunday.
"Really good player," Gannon said, via WLUK. "He's in a really good offense with some elite players. Obviously I've got nothing but love and respect for K-1. He's competitive, he's smart, he can make all the throws and he can beat you with his legs. So a bigtime challenge. As I know firsthand what this guy can do with his legs and he can train wreck the game real fast if you're not coordinated the right way. We gotta contain him. We gotta be ready to plaster at all times 'cause he has just kind of a way of getting out that pocket and extending plays. And then when he's out that pocket is when I think he's most dangerous."
Murray was shut down after hurting his foot early in the 2025 season and that decision was tied to contractual matters as the Cardinals wanted to avoid being on the hook for any of his 2027 money. That didn't help Gannon keep his job and shutting down his former quarterback would be the best way to start his new gig on the right foot.
Gannon is now the Packers' defensive coordinator, which means he'll be charged with slowing Murray down in his debut as the Vikings' starting quarterback. In a press conference this week, Gannon said that his experience coaching Murray left him aware of exactly what the defense has to be on guard for on Sunday.
"Really good player," Gannon said, via WLUK. "He's in a really good offense with some elite players. Obviously I've got nothing but love and respect for K-1. He's competitive, he's smart, he can make all the throws and he can beat you with his legs. So a bigtime challenge. As I know firsthand what this guy can do with his legs and he can train wreck the game real fast if you're not coordinated the right way. We gotta contain him. We gotta be ready to plaster at all times 'cause he has just kind of a way of getting out that pocket and extending plays. And then when he's out that pocket is when I think he's most dangerous."
Murray was shut down after hurting his foot early in the 2025 season and that decision was tied to contractual matters as the Cardinals wanted to avoid being on the hook for any of his 2027 money. That didn't help Gannon keep his job and shutting down his former quarterback would be the best way to start his new gig on the right foot.