Green Bay Packers Brenton Cox Jr. Ready For Breakthrough Moment In 2025

The Green Bay Packers’ preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks featured plenty of standout moments, but perhaps none was more telling about the organization’s development philosophy than Brenton Cox’s explosive strip-sack that set the tone for a dominant defensive performance. For an undrafted free agent who has spent two seasons fighting for roster spots, this moment represented the culmination of steady progress and unwavering determination.

Green Bay Packers Brenton Cox Jr.: Long Road of an Undrafted Player

Cox’s journey with the Packers began in 2023 when he arrived as an undrafted free agent, carrying the dreams and uncertainty that define players in his position. The path from college to NFL relevance is never guaranteed for undrafted players, but Cox has consistently shown the work ethic and raw talent that catches coaches’ attention.

Over his first two seasons, Cox appeared in just 12 games while being a healthy scratch for 21 others. These numbers tell the story of a player on the periphery, valuable enough to keep around but not yet ready for consistent contributions. However, his opportunity came when veteran Preston Smith was traded during the 2024 season, and Cox stepped up to make an immediate impact that hinted at his potential.

The Packers’ coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, recognized Cox’s upside and committed to his development. This patience and investment in young talent exemplifies the organization’s approach under general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur, who understand that NFL success often comes from maximizing overlooked talent.

Training Camp Transformation

This summer’s training camp has been different for Cox. Speaking about his development, he emphasized how the coaching staff’s emphasis on ball security and takeaways has become second nature to the defensive unit.

“We’ve been preaching takeaways this whole camp,” Cox explained after his standout performance against Seattle. “Coming off the edge, that was the opportunity for me to get it. That strip-fumble, that’s just a portion of what we were doing the whole camp. We’ve been punching at the ball and it’s finally paying off.”

This quote reveals more than just technique work—it shows a player who has internalized the defensive philosophy and understands his role within the larger scheme. The emphasis on ball disruption fits perfectly with Hafley’s aggressive defensive approach, which has been a focal point throughout the preseason.

The Defining Moment

Cox’s strip-sack of rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe showcased everything the Packers have been working to develop in him. Using his speed and a perfectly timed shoulder drop, he beat both tight end Marshall Lang and right tackle Michael Jerrell, getting into the backfield virtually untouched before executing a textbook punchout that jarred the ball loose.

The fumble was recovered by teammate Kingsley Enagbare and returned for what appeared to be a touchdown, though the score was called back after review. Regardless of the final outcome, the play demonstrated Cox’s growth in both technique and football IQ—recognizing the opportunity for a strip and executing it flawlessly under game conditions.

Beyond the highlight-reel moment, Brenton Cox also recorded a tackle for loss after a long Seattle run put the Seahawks inside the five-yard line, showing his ability to make plays in critical situations. These are the types of contributions that transform fringe roster players into valuable rotation pieces.

The Hunger Factor

Perhaps most telling about Cox’s mindset is his understanding of the precarious nature of his position and how he’s used that uncertainty as motivation. Despite his strong preseason showing, he remains realistic about his roster status.

“With the amount of numbers we’ve got, it’s always a chance that I don’t make it,” Cox acknowledged. “But I just like to put my best foot forward and keep going every day.”

This humble approach, combined with his evident hunger, reflects the mentality that has driven his development. Cox spoke about the collective attitude among players in similar positions, saying, “I feel like we’re hungry. We’ve got a lot of guys that want to prove themselves again. We’ve got a lot of guys who just, like me, end-of-the-roster guys, that’s just trying to show the team that we can do it.”

Defensive Philosophy in Action

Brenton Cox’s development aligns perfectly with Hafley’s defensive vision. The coordinator has emphasized aggressive ball-hawking throughout training camp, and the results were evident in the preseason finale. The defense forced four total turnovers, including Cox’s strip-sack, another Milroe fumble, a muffed punt recovery, and a botched snap recovery that sealed the victory.

This systematic approach to creating turnovers represents a cultural shift for the Green Bay Packers defense. Rather than hoping for lucky bounces, they’re actively teaching techniques and creating opportunities through disciplined execution—exactly what Cox demonstrated on his signature play.

The Development Process Paying Off

Cox’s trajectory exemplifies the patient development approach that successful NFL organizations employ with young talent. Rather than expecting immediate returns, the Green Bay Packers invested time in his technique, understanding of the system, and mental approach to the game.

“Just staying humble, keeping my head down and working,” Cox said of his development path. “I come to work every day with a serious mentality to get better, and I think it showed tonight with that one pass rush.”

This mindset, combined with the technical improvements evident in his play, suggests that Cox’s breakthrough moment against Seattle was not an anomaly but rather the result of systematic improvement over multiple seasons.

The Bigger Picture

Cox’s emergence comes at an important time for Green Bay’s pass rush rotation. With the departure of Preston Smith and questions about depth behind established players like Rashan Gary, having a reliable contributor like Cox becomes increasingly valuable. His ability to generate pressure while also being sound against the run makes him a versatile piece in Hafley’s defensive puzzle.

The undrafted free agent’s journey from practice squad candidate to potential regular contributor also speaks to the Packers’ ability to develop talent internally. In an era where roster construction requires maximizing value from all sources, finding productive players outside the draft becomes crucial for maintaining competitive depth.

Championship Mentality

Perhaps most encouraging about Brenton Cox Jr.’s development is his understanding that individual success must contribute to team goals. Even in preseason games that some consider meaningless, he emphasized the team-first approach that defines winning organizations.

“Nobody wants to lose,” Cox said. “It may be preseason, but we take it very serious around here – just punching at the ball, trying to get takeaways, trying to make a play on defense. We take that very serious.”

This mentality, combined with his improved technical skills and understanding of his role, positions Cox as exactly the type of player championship teams need—someone who can step up when called upon and contribute to the defensive identity that Hafley is building.

As the Green Bay Packers prepare for what they hope will be a championship-caliber season, Brenton Cox’s emergence represents both individual achievement and organizational success. His journey from undrafted free agent to meaningful contributor demonstrates the value of patience, development, and unwavering commitment to improvement—qualities that will be essential as Green Bay pursues its ultimate goal in 2025.