How do you replace Edgerrin Cooper?
There, the intro for this edition of our Tuesday links column is done! We’ve solved the Packers’ post-Cooper linebacker dilemma by identifying that there is no solution.
But seriously, I’m always a little frustrated (annoyed? vexed?) by the intractable situation that arises whenever the Packers lose a key player. It’s both impossible to come up with a solution, because certain players certainly approach irreplaceability, and an essential question, because you’re not going to just play with 10 players on the field because one guy suddenly finds himself short an Achilles tendon.
You’re clearly never going to find a one-to-one replacement for Edgerrin Cooper. His stat line from Sunday (nine tackles, a sack, and an interception) has only been produced by a Packers player three other times this century (by Xavier McKinney in 2025, Charles Woodson in 2009, and Nate Wayne in 2001). Players like Edgerrin Cooper don’t grow on trees, and the truly annoying part is that he appeared to only be getting better.
But you need a solution. What’s it going to be? It’s not leaning more heavily on Zaire Franklin; his workload is big enough already and his limitations as an undersized linebacker on the wrong side of 30 are apparent. It’s not turning to Isaiah McDuffie; we’ve seen that movie before. It’s not Ty’Ron Hopper; if he were any good, we’d have seen it by now.
So what’s it going to be? How do you keep getting plays from your defense while offsetting the loss of one of your very best players?
Throw it on the pile, because this is just another question that will define the Packers’ season. There may not be a satisfying answer, but the Packers are obligated to try to find one.
Probably understating it a bit.
The Packers have gone to the free agency well to fix their offensive line. Must they do the same at linebacker?
Evan Williams made plays when the Packers needed them. He’s going to have to do a lot more of that.
The Packers came out of the Buccaneers game with a few questions, including why Kevin Zeitler didn’t play and how Jordan Love ended up throwing an interception late.
Genuine second chances are rare in the NFL, and Malik Willis is trying to make the most of his.
When things are so bad the animals are going to church, we might have a problem.
Edgerrin Cooper is gone, but Evan Williams had one of the best games of his career on Sunday. Is there something there that the Packers can build on as they move into this post-Cooper world?
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