The breakout of Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper might finally be coming. The former second-round pick is entering his third NFL season, and it appears things are coming all the way together. CBS Sports Senior Columnist Pete Prisco was at Packers training camp, and one of his biggest takeaways is that this defense is a great fit for Cooper.
While Jeff Hafley went on to be an NFL head coach, and he was replaced by Jonathan Gannon, who was fired as an NFL head coach, Prisco sees Cooper as a better fit with Gannon, who might be more aggressive on defense.
Green Bay Packers Plan to Blitz Edgerrin Cooper More in 2026
GettyEdgerrin Cooper
Cooper was just a four-game starter during his rookie season. Still, he racked up 3.5 sacks and 12 pressures on just 56 pass rush snaps. He showed that there was real value in this ability.
However, he did not expand on that role in his second NFL season. He did have a strong season, though, and took a step forward in most areas. He went from 549 snaps to 1,089. Cooper also went from 87 combined tackles to 118. However, he did not improve as a pass rusher.
He went from 3.5 sacks to 0.5. He went from seven quarterback hits to just three. Lastly, he maintained 12 pressures, but his pass rush snaps went from 56 to 70. So, he barely had any more chances and did not take advantage.
Now, the Packers have big plans to use Cooper more as a pass rusher. They even experimented with him as an edge rusher during OTAs at times. Prisco was able to see usage up close and personal, and now he is excited about what might come.
Packers Can Use Cooper’s Pass Rush To Replace Micah Parsons Early In 2026
While the Packers cannot replace Parsons with just one player, they do have a group of potential rushers who can slide in and take on some of the duties. One of those options can be Cooper. The team can look to blitz more and play in different formations to get Cooper to improve the pass rush.
One name to keep an eye on is Collin Oliver. He played linebacker in college and is now blitzing off of the edge in the NFL. However, if he is on the field at the same time as Cooper, the two can switch how they play, and who takes the rush role and who takes the coverage.
It could be another wrinkle of the Gannon defense.
More than that, the Packers have three other edge rushers who have a chance to step in across from Lukas Van Ness. Right now, Barryn Sorrell is the leader to start at edge rusher until Parsons gets healthy.
However, rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton has flashed as well. Lastly, veteran Brenton Cox is a trusted option who will stay in the mix.
Still, with so much in flux, the reliability of Cooper as a pass rusher cannot be understated. They will look to lean on him early in the season.
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