The Green Bay Packers are betting on an intriguing linebacker combination to improve their defense, and the primary piece of that bet is inside linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. This positional breakdown series examines how the Packers constructed their off-ball linebacker room around Cooper’s talent, adding veteran Zaire Franklin via trade and retaining key depth pieces to round out a group that looks different from a year ago.

Cooper was productive last season, particularly in pass coverage. He posted a 94.1 passer rating when targeted, earned a 76.5 coverage grade via PFF, generated 12 pressures, and recorded 45 stops. That combination of coverage ability and pass-rush production makes him a complete linebacker, and the Packers clearly view him as a potential long-term star at the position, despite a less efficient season than he had as a rookie.

Edgerrin Cooper 2024 v 2025.

Snap count almost doubled as he became a full-time starter.

Splash plays were less regular. Became more reliable in coverage.

Need to find a happy medium in 2026 and get him back to making big plays without sacrificing everything else. pic.twitter.com/AnriOdJkmw

— Mark Oldacres (@MarkOldacres) July 23, 2026

Franklin trade changes the dynamic

That belief in Cooper drove the sequence of moves Green Bay made this offseason. The Packers traded defensive lineman Colby Wooden to the Indianapolis Colts to acquire Franklin, a smart, cerebral linebacker who can help Cooper play at his best. Franklin is a better complement than what the Packers had in Quay Walker, and that distinction matters, even though Walker is more athletic.

Green Bay allowed Walker to leave in free agency, and he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Knowing that would eventually happen, the Packers moved quickly early in the offseason to replenish the room with a player whose strengths align with what Cooper needs next to him. Franklin’s ability to process information and communicate pre-snap should elevate the entire defensive operation.

The third linebacker in the rotation is Isaiah McDuffie, a player the Packers trust enough to keep around for longer. McDuffie signed a one-year extension with Green Bay and is now under contract through 2027. The team values him both as a special teamer and as a depth linebacker who can start in a pinch.

Behind McDuffie, the Packers have Ty’Ron Hopper, a former third-round pick whom Green Bay doesn’t necessarily trust Hopper to start. But he provides athletic upside as a backup and contributes on special teams. Nick Niemann and Kristian Welch round out the room as primarily special teams players who don’t see much defensive action. Niemann in particular carries roster value in that role.

The last name on the inside linebacker depth chart is undrafted rookie TJ Quinn. The Packers hope Quinn can develop into a practice squad piece, but he’s far from a lock to stick around.

Cooper is the foundation

General manager Brian Gutekunst built the group around Cooper’s skill set, acquiring Franklin specifically to maximize what the young linebacker can do. If Cooper plays at the level the Packers expect, and if Franklin proves to be the veteran presence that helps him take the next step, Green Bay should be in strong shape at inside linebacker heading into the regular season.