The Green Bay Packers made significant investments in their edge position, committing nearly $150 million to Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, along with a first-round pick for Lukas Van Ness. Kenny Clark received a three-year, $64 million extension, while Devonte Wyatt, coming off a productive 2023 season with 5.5 sacks and 48 pressures, was expected to make a bigger impact in 2024.
The Packers also overhauled their safety group, moving on from Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, and Jonathan Owens. They signed Xavier McKinney in free agency and drafted Javon Bullard and Evan Williams. McKinney, who leads the NFL in interceptions, was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month in October. Williams ranks in the top 10 for coverage grade among safeties with over 100 coverage snaps, and Bullard is the second-highest-graded rookie safety, ranking second in tackles.
On the linebacker front, Green Bay moved on from De’Vondre Campbell and drafted Edgerrin Cooper in the second round of the 2024 draft. Despite the addition of Cooper, the linebacker corps was expected to be a weakness, which has proven true.
Quay Walker leads the Packers’ linebackers with 460 snaps, followed by Isaiah McDuffie (390), Edgerrin Cooper (238), and Eric Wilson (229). However, Walker has the lowest defensive grade of the group, and McDuffie’s coverage has been problematic, with both allowing significant yardage and a high passer rating when targeted. Walker has struggled the most, ranking poorly in both defensive and coverage grades, and often appears out of position.
McDuffie also ranks poorly in multiple categories, including a high missed-tackle percentage. Despite their struggles, the coaching staff has repeatedly mismanaged the linebacker rotation, giving Walker and McDuffie the bulk of the snaps while underutilizing Cooper, who has shown more promise. Cooper was named to The Athletic’s midseason All-Rookie team and won NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his standout performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While Walker plays the Mike role, his poor performance suggests that Green Bay’s coaching staff should consider rotating him out for Cooper or Wilson, both of whom have outperformed him. The upcoming bye week presents a prime opportunity for the team to make this change, as continuing to rely on Walker and McDuffie limits the Packers’ potential. Instead, Green Bay should prioritize developing Cooper, whose upside remains untapped, over continuing to struggle with the limitations of Walker and McDuffie.
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