Packers’ Evan Williams, Brandon Cisse Earn October Defensive Honors
On Nov. 6, 2026, Green Bay Packers defensive backs Evan Williams and Brandon Cisse received major monthly awards for their play in October. Packers.com senior writer Wes Hodkiewicz reported that Williams was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month and Cisse earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. Head coach Matt LaFleur was among the first to send congratulations, according to the team report.
Cisse produced standout numbers in October, totaling 21 tackles (including two for loss) across five starts, while adding seven passes defensed, an interception and a sack. Williams posted 41 tackles in October with four passes defensed, three quarterback hits, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a sack. Those performances were central to the monthly honors earned by both players.
Through eight starts this season, Williams leads the Packers with 66 combined tackles and has recorded six passes defensed and two interceptions, plus his first career sack. His 43 solo tackles rank second in the NFL behind Denver’s Alex Singleton, the team noted. The 25-year-old safety has assumed an expanded role under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Cisse, a second-round rookie, has started all eight games opposite Keisean Nixon and has played 91 percent of the defensive snaps, the team reported. The 6-foot, 189-pound cornerback has matched up with elite receivers such as Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and he leads the Packers’ secondary with eight pass breakups while also totaling 1.5 sacks and his first NFL interception. Teammates have highlighted his poise and rapid acclimation to the roster and the city.
Green Bay’s defense has produced strong results under Gannon despite personnel challenges. Entering the club’s upcoming game in New England, the Packers ranked second in the NFL in takeaways, eighth in passing defense, 10th in scoring defense and 10th in total defense, according to the report. Those metrics have been achieved while All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons missed the first eight games recovering from knee surgery and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was lost for the season with an Achilles tear in Week 4.
The unit will face a significant test against the Patriots’ offense this Sunday, led by quarterback Drake Maye, who was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Maye posted a 119.0 passer rating in October, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,199 yards with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions, the report said. Packers defenders framed the matchup as an opportunity to demonstrate the continued growth of the defense.
Williams and Cisse said the recognition is appreciated but stressed that the focus remains on the stretch run of the regular season. Williams characterized the honor as reflective of collective work rather than an individual accolade, while Cisse credited veteran teammates for helping him adjust after moving from South Carolina. Both players said they are concentrating on preparation for the team’s next games rather than dwelling on awards.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Evan Williams and Brandon Cisse earning monthly honors highlights both individual development and the depth of Green Bay’s secondary. Williams has emerged as a tackling leader and playmaker, while Cisse’s heavy snap counts and production against top receivers show the club found immediate value in the second-round pick. Those contributions have helped a Gannon-coached unit rank among the NFL leaders in takeaways and pass defense despite the absence of Parsons and the loss of Cooper. The upcoming matchup with Drake Maye and New England will be a clearer barometer of how well the Packers’ defensive surge can sustain itself against a high-powered passing attack.