Grading Packers’ Re-Signing of Brenton Cox

According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, it’s a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. Cox was a restricted free agent; tendering him would have cost the team $3.52 million.

The 26-year-old had one sack in four games last season, but this is much more than a shrug-of-the-shoulders signing.

Brenton Cox’s Impact 2024

When the Packers traded Preston Smith at the deadline in 2024, it opened the door for Cox. Cox didn’t play a single snap during the first nine games. In seven games down the stretch, he had four sacks – one in four games – 12 tackles and five tackles for losses. Cox ranked 20th in sacks during that span, tied with Rashan Gary for most on the team.

His production was no small feat considering he played only 160 snaps in those games.

Cox had 97 pass-rushing opportunities during the 2024 season. Of the 130 edge defenders who hit that number, he was 12th in pass-rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus. He ranked behind a who’s-who list of Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, Trey Hendrickson, Jared Verse, Chop Robinson, Za’Darius Smith, Alex Highsmith, Von Miller and Yaya Diaby.

Moreover, he was second in pass-rush productivity, a PFF metric that combines sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap.

“Trying to make plays” was his mindset, he said early in training camp this past season. “Just proving to my teammates that I'm here to help and not a liability.”

Injury Impacted 2025

Even after the end-of-camp trade for Micah Parsons, Cox made the roster following a strong training camp, which included a strip-sack and a tackle for loss in a preseason game against Seattle.

“Coming off the edge, that was the opportunity for me to get it,” he said after the game. “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.” 

Cox, however, suffered a groin injury in Week 1 against Detroit and missed most of the rest of the season.

“Yeah, [it was disappointing], but it comes with the game,” Cox said. “If you play football, you know it’s coming now or later. Just to get it out of the way and be able to return for the season was a big plus. That’s what I prayed about the whole time was just being able to return.”