Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper Bulks Up — But Can't Quit 1 'Bad Food' 3 Jun 11, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) participates in the team’s minicamp at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper Tells the ‘Hard Part’ Truth About Defense

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 6:43 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers allowed just 20.0 points per game in the 2024 NFL season, but their pass rush left much to be desired. They were just 12th in the league with a 7.42 percent sack rate, which wasn’t ugly, relatively speaking, but frustrating given the perceived level of talent on the defensive line.

Rashan Gary led the team with 7.5 sacks, while Lukas Van Ness struggled to produce on that front, coming away with just three sacks in 17 games. Rookie Edgerrin Cooper, meanwhile, showed promise despite recording just 3.5 sacks.

Green Bay’s pass rush was once again questioned after a preseason game last Saturday against the New York Jets in which the Packers failed to record a sack in a 30-10 loss at Lambeau Field. Granted that it was just a preseason game with nothing much on the line and minimal snaps given to most starters, the Packers’ defense was still glaringly outplayed.

But on Thursday, the Packers’ defense showed plenty of life in a joint practice session with the Indianapolis Colts.

Cooper speaks up on Green Bay Packers’ defense amid joint practice with Colts

The Packers’ stop unit flashed some sharper fangs against the Colts in practice on Thursday, based on reports. Mike Spofford of the Packers’ website wrote that Van Ness and Gary had multiple sacks while Javon Bullar forced a fumble.

The Colts had success during a two-minute drill, but the Packers ultimately stood their ground. Overall, it was a lesson learned for Cooper and the Packers’ defense, which will face the Colts again in practice and in a preseason game on Saturday.

“We felt good, just trying to keep the gas going,” linebacker Edgerrin Cooper said of the overall effort. “At the end, two-minute, we didn’t really like the result. That’s the hard part about defense. No matter how good you play the whole game, you gotta finish it out the whole way.”

Green Bay Packers: Edgerrin Cooper Tells the ‘Hard Part’ Truth About Defense 2 Dec 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) celebrates with cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) after Cooper intercepted the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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