Coming off a solid first season under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Green Bay Packers’ stop unit is looking to make a leap again in the 2025 NFL season. In 2024, the Packers were fifth in the league with just 20.0 points allowed per outing and fourth in total defense with just 313.2 yards surrendered per outing.
Among those counted upon to deliver consistent quality production for the team’s defense is promising linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
The former Texas A&M Aggies star had a slow start to his rookie campaign and missed some games due to injury, but overall, the former second-round pick shone in his first year in the pros, recording 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 14 games.
Pro Football Focus gave Cooper an overall grade of 84.0 with a high 90.1 pass rush rating to go with a 78.6 run defense grade. Additionally, no other linebacker in the NFL had a better PFF grade than Cooper from Week 15 to 18 last season, as noted by Paul Bretl of LA Crosse.
Green Bay Packers DC drums up Edgerrin Cooper hype
More is expected from Cooper in 2025, with Hafley adding to the hype.
“I think you’ll see some fun stuff pop up,” Hafley said about Cooper and the player’s role in the coming 2025 NFL season (h/t Matt Schneidman of The Athletic).
Working alongside the likes of Quay Walker and Lukas Van Ness, Cooper will look to tighten up the middle of the defensive line, which is still going to be a big challenge for him, especially if Walker can’t be ready by Week 1 of the 2025 campaign.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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