When Green Bay Packers linebacker Zaire Franklin hears his new defense communicate, he is reminded of what is expected from the Navy SEALs. Franklin was asked what he thought of the defense so far in training camp, and he praised their ability to communicate.
“A great defense is a talkative defense,” Franklin noted. “Just hearing X (Xavier McKinney), and Evan (Williams), and Bull (Javon Bullard) talking in the back end, and me communicating stuff from the front end, me and Coop, a more talkative unit, it’s like the Navy SEALs, they are constantly communicating whether it’s hand fixtures, or verbal.”
Franklin is entering his ninth season in the NFL and has the accolade of being named second-team All-Pro during his career. So, he knows what it takes to have a good defense. Right now, he sees the makings of a good one.
Green Bay Packers Linebacker Zaire Franklin Compares Defense to Navy SEALs
Gettylinebacker Zaire Franklin
The defense is new with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon running the show, so it is interesting to hear all of the tidbits that are coming out about the group.
Franklin is not the first person to mention the three members of the back end being talkative. Gannon appears to be putting all three of them in more versatile and varying spots. So, he is counting on all three of them to communicate better. So far, Franklin is seeing that.
More than that, Franklin is helping in a big way when it comes to communication due to his familiarity with Gannon.
Gannon spent time with the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-2020 as the defensive backs coach. While Franklin did not spend direct time with him, the two come from a similar background over that time. So, the transition has been more understandable for Franklin.
That is why his ability to communicate on the back end is valuable.
Packers Are Looking At Big Changes on Defense in 2026
The team is not completely stripping their old defensive values, but there are some notable changes on the depth chart entering the year. It is notable that Bullard is being used in a different role, but the second cornerback spot appears to be a completely different player.
Carrington Valentine is behind in the training camp competition, and he is currently injured. Rookie Brandon Cisse has taken over most of the first-team work. He could continue to run away with the job, but free agent addition Benjamin St-Juste is also in the mix.
At linebacker, it will be Franklin in for Quay Walker, who left in free agency.
Micah Parsons will return on the defensive front, but right now he is out. With Rashan Gary traded, they will have two new starters on the edge in Week 1. They also traded Colby Wooden for Franklin and made some shifts on the defensive front.
Both free agent Javon Hargrave and rookie third-round pick Chris McClellan are going to be in the mix to start Week 1. There will be notable shifts to the defense now that Gannon has taken over.
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