Edgerrin Cooper is quickly making a name for himself in Green Bay, and after his performance in the Packers’ 30-13 win over Seattle, it’s becoming clear that the second-round draft pick could be the next defensive star in the making. Returning from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, Cooper wasted no time in showcasing why so many of his teammates, coaches, and opponents are singing his praises.
The Packers’ defensive efforts were nothing short of outstanding, and Cooper was the driving force behind it. He finished the game with a team-high seven tackles, an interception, a sack, two passes defensed, two quarterback hits, and two tackles for loss. The standout numbers speak for themselves, but it was the way Cooper impacted the game that stood out most.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur couldn’t contain his admiration, calling Cooper “just a hell of a player,” while defensive end Kingsley Enagbare declared him a future Hall of Famer. “He’s got all the ability in the world,” defensive tackle Kenny Clark added. And it’s easy to see why. Cooper’s skills were on full display in Seattle, especially after missing nearly a month of action.
His impact started early, when he sacked Geno Smith for a 9-yard loss on Seattle’s opening drive, and continued to resonate throughout the night. Cooper’s pressure disrupted Seattle’s offense in a major way, ultimately leading to Smith’s exit with a knee injury after a hit from Cooper midway through the third quarter. With Smith sidelined, Seattle was forced to turn to backup quarterback Sam Howell, who couldn’t spark a comeback. Cooper capped off his night with an interception on Howell that put an end to any hope of a Seattle rally.
“I was very hungry to get back out there and do what I did,” Cooper said after the game, and it’s clear his teammates share his enthusiasm. Safety Xavier McKinney noted that Cooper’s return adds a lot to the defense and allows the Packers to open up more playbook options. “It helps us be able to open our playbook up a little bit and do some things schematically that can frustrate the offense,” McKinney said.
Cooper’s performance only added to the hype surrounding him, which has been building since his breakout performance in Week 8 against Jacksonville, where he earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. But Sunday night’s outing was even better. Cooper showed that he’s not just a potential star—he’s already capable of turning the tide in big moments.
The Packers have been looking for a game-changing linebacker to complement their defense, and Cooper’s ability to create plays in multiple areas—whether it’s rushing the passer, forcing turnovers, or making key tackles—is a skill set that could elevate Green Bay’s defense to elite status.
At 6’2” and 245 pounds, with 4.51 speed in the 40-yard dash, Cooper is a physical freak who is still scratching the surface of his potential. His playmaking ability, combined with his raw athleticism, makes him a matchup nightmare for offenses, and the Packers’ defense looks all the better with him on the field.
LaFleur, Enagbare, and the rest of the Packers are all in agreement: the sky’s the limit for Cooper. He may only be in his rookie season, but his ceiling appears limitless. As Cooper himself said, “Our defense, the capability we have is to the roof. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we got going next.”
If Cooper can continue to build on his early success, Green Bay may have found the centerpiece of its defense for years to come. With a playmaker like Cooper anchoring the linebackers, the Packers’ defense could be poised for greatness.
