If you’ve spent any time watching the Green Bay Packers over the last few seasons, you know the vibe. For years, the middle of the defense felt like a revolving door of "just okay" linebackers who could tackle fine but didn't exactly strike fear into anyone's heart. Then came Edgerrin Cooper.
Drafted 45th overall in 2024 out of Texas A&M, Cooper wasn't just another body for the roster. He was a 6-foot-2, 230-pound heat-seeking missile with 4.51 speed. Honestly, watching him play is like watching someone play Madden on rookie mode—he’s just faster than everyone else on the field.
But here’s the thing: everyone talks about his speed, but they miss why he’s actually changing the Green Bay Packers' defense. It isn't just the 40-yard dash time. It’s the sheer violence he brings to the point of contact.
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The Edgerrin Cooper Impact: More Than Just a Fast 40
When Jeff Hafley took over as defensive coordinator, he wanted "fast, physical, and aggressive." Cooper is basically the human embodiment of that wish list. In his rookie 2024 season, he put up numbers that seem almost fake when you realize he only started four games.
He finished that year with 87 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 13 tackles for loss. To put that in perspective, those 13 TFLs were the most by a Packers rookie since Clay Matthews had 17 back in 2009. That’s elite company.
The most impressive part? He did it on just 55% of the defensive snaps.
Basically, every time he was on the field, something happened. He wasn't just "filling a gap." He was exploding through it. Most linebackers wait for the play to come to them, but Cooper has this weird, instinctive ability to hunt the ball-carrier before the offensive line even knows what hit them.
Why the 2025 Season Proved He’s the Real Deal
People wondered if the rookie year was a fluke. It wasn't. Moving into the 2025 season, Cooper became the undisputed anchor. He started all 16 games he played, racking up 118 tackles and forcing two fumbles.
There was this one play against the Bears in the 2025 Wild Card round—the Packers ended up losing a heartbreaker 31-27—but Cooper was everywhere. He had this way of mirroring the quarterback that made it impossible for them to scramble.
You see, in the old Joe Barry system, linebackers often looked lost in space. Under Hafley, Cooper is a chess piece. He blitzes from the edge, he drops into deep zones, and he spies mobile QBs. He’s the reason the Packers' run defense jumped from 28th in the league to 7th in just one year.
Scouting the "Coop" Style: Strengths and Those Messy Weaknesses
Let’s be real for a second. Cooper isn't perfect. If you watch the film closely, you’ll see him over-pursue a play once or twice a game because he’s moving too fast.
- Elite Closing Speed: He closes the gap on a screen pass faster than any Packer linebacker in the last decade.
- Blitzing Instincts: He doesn't just run into the back of his own linemen. He has a sneaky "dip" move to get under blocks.
- Special Teams Value: Even as a starter, he was still recording double-digit tackles on special teams. That’s rare.
His biggest struggle? Pad level. Sometimes he comes in too high, and a veteran power back like Saquon Barkley or David Montgomery can bounce off him. But he’s 24. He’s learning.
Brian Gutekunst, the Packers GM, mentioned at the combine that Cooper's "big exhale" after his first year was huge. Once a player stops thinking about the playbook and just starts playing, that’s when the superstar leap happens. We saw that leap in 2025.
What Most Fans Get Wrong
A lot of folks think Cooper is just another "athlete" linebacker like Quay Walker. While they are both fast, their games are different.
Quay is a traditional thumper who has learned to be a pro. Cooper is a playmaker. He’s looking for the ball. He’s looking for the strip. He’s looking for the sack. He plays with a level of "unbridled passion"—a phrase NFL scouts used during his draft process—that occasionally gets him out of position but more often leads to a tackle for loss.
The Future of the Green Bay Defense
Going into 2026, the expectations are through the roof. The Packers have a young core with Cooper, Javon Bullard, and Evan Williams.
Jeff Hafley’s system works because he trusts his guys to win one-on-one matchups. Cooper is the guy who wins those. If he stays healthy—which was a concern after some hip and hamstring issues in his rookie year—he’s a lock for the Pro Bowl.
Honestly, he’s the most exciting defensive player in Green Bay right now. Sorry, Rashan Gary, but the "Coop" highlights are just different.
What to watch for next:
- Film Study: Check out his "spy" reps against mobile quarterbacks. He’s one of the few LBs who can actually catch a scrambling QB from behind.
- Roster Moves: Keep an eye on how the Packers handle the other linebacker spots. They are clearly building the entire room around Cooper's ability to cover ground.
- Stat Tracking: Watch his "Tackles for Loss" (TFL) count. If he’s over 1.0 per game, the Packers' defense is usually winning.
If you’re a fan, it’s time to buy the jersey. This isn't just hype; the numbers and the film back it up. Edgerrin Cooper is the foundational piece the Packers have been searching for since the A.J. Hawk era ended.
To keep track of his progress, watch for defensive snap counts in the upcoming preseason. If the coaches are keeping him on the field for nearly every down, it means they finally trust his "green dot" communication skills to match his physical talent.