Much was made in the media that the Green Bay Packers are getting young on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. The Packers added several skilled players on offense in the draft. However, the Packers spent some considerable capital on improving the pass rush. Their first pick was for Lukas Van Ness, an Edge. Following the draft, the Packers signed another pass rusher, who is coming from the SEC. But he had a troubling career there.
The Green Bay Packers signed an Edge
According to multiple reports, the Packers signed Brenton Cox Monday.
The @packers have signed @brenton_cox_! #GoGators | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/mlJcv6vAcN
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) May 1, 2023
Cox was dismissed from both football programs at Georgia and Florida. Cox was released from the Florida program last October after footage appeared that he allegedly threw a punch at Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh in the end zone after giving up a touchdown.
How was Cox not ejected for this punch pic.twitter.com/jOjASKhfmF
— In Kirby I Trust (@Charlie_S1mpson) October 29, 2022
The incident occurred after Cox was steamrolled by his former school’s offense.
Touchdown @GeorgiaFootball 🙌
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 29, 2022
Kenny McIntosh will not be stopped 💪 pic.twitter.com/cyfZwLpbgj
According to Bill Huber with Sports Illustrated, Cox was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Cox told reporters he was blessed to have a chance to play in the NFL after his incidents in college:
“I feel like I’m blessed to answer these questions,” he said. “A lot of guys in my situation don’t really make it out of them. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to answer these questions and tell my side of the story.”
“I’m ready to move on from it,” he added. How? “You just keep working and get ready for the next task at hand.”
The Green Bay Packers will see a former 5-star talent
Cox had a lot of talent coming out of high school. He was a five-star athlete who was ranked as the top-20 player in his class before his first year at Georgia. According to his prospect profile on the NFL.com, Cox was dismissed from Georgia after he was arrested for marijuana possession. He had a decent football career at Florida. 2021 was his best statistical season, when he recorded 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Cox’s RAS score of 6.25 left much to be desired for a former five-star recruit.
Brenton Cox Jr. is a DE prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 6.25 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 604 out of 1610 DE from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/SOVTMLjusi #RAS pic.twitter.com/0tPATrskJu
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 6, 2023
Keeping Cox this season could be a risk
It’s worth the risk for the Packers to see what Cox can offer at rookie minicamp. But the team must decide if even his good play is worth the risk to the locker room. The team cut running back Kylin Hill last season for reasons unrelated to performance. They also have to manage Quay Walker this season, who was ejected from two NFL games during his rookie season. The two former Georgia linebackers on the same squad could be a lot for head coach Matt LaFleur’s staff to handle this season.
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