Three Big Questions Facing the Green Bay Packers at Linebacker Entering 2025

The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp later this month. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2025 season. Today we will examine the linebackers. We will examine another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here, for defensive tackles, click here, and for running backs, click here. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers at linebacker entering training camp in 2025:

The Projected Candidates: Starters: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie; Backups: Isaiah Simmons, Ty’Ron Hopper; Fighting for roster spots: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kristian Welch

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Linebacker, Number One: Can Edgerrin Cooper Break Out in 2025?

Edgerrin Cooper made the NFL All-Rookie Team last season despite only starting four games all season. The coaching staff was a bit reluctant to start him before he mastered the playbook, but whenever he was on the field, all he did was make plays.

Cooper possesses great speed and puts himself in position to find the football. He finished his rookie campaign with a team-high 13 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He can chase down runners, blitz the quarterback and cover backs or tight ends on pass plays.

With a full year under his belt and a better knowledge of his assignments, Cooper could develop into a Pro Bowl player in 2025. That would take the Green Bay defense to another level. This would give the Packers another elite weapon on defense alongside Xavier McKinney.

Number Two: Will Quay Walker Take His Game to the Next Level?

Quay Walker has led the Packers in tackles every year during his three seasons with the Packers. The former Georgia star has been a starter since his first game as a rookie. Unfortunately, he hasn’t lived up to his first-round draft status.

Walker has great speed and athleticism, but he has struggled to diagnose plays. As a result, too many of his tackles have come downfield after a player has already gained several yards.

Late last season, Walker put together three or four strong games in a row. His recognition skills improved, and he was making more impact plays. The key is maintaining that level of play in 2025.

If Walker can prove the improvement is his new normal and not just a late-season hot streak, the Packers could have a dynamic duo at linebacker in Walker and Cooper. Walker is also entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be playing for a new deal with the Pack.

Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Linebacker, Number Three: Who Will Be the Third Starter?

We know Walker and Cooper will start, but who will fill the third starting position? The Packers may only put three linebackers on the field on 25-30 percent of their defensive snaps, but finding a starter here will be critical.

The incumbent is veteran Isaiah McDuffie who started all 17 games last season. McDuffie signed a two-year extension with the Packers during the offseason. McDuffie gives the Packers a smart and experienced player who reads plays well and can stop the run. His lack of elite athleticism makes him a liability in pass coverage.

Ty’Ron Hopper barely saw the field on defense as a rookie. The former third-round pick out of Missouri struggled to learn the defense and played only 18 snaps on defense all season. He has the speed the team desires but has yet to prove he can be an effective starter in the NFL. If he takes a second-year jump, he could compete for the third starting spot.

The Packers also signed free agent Isaiah Simmons. The former eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft has yet to establish himself as a starter in the NFL. He started only five games over the last two seasons with the Giants after spending three years with the Cardinals. Simmons has great speed and athleticism but has yet to consistently put it all together.

Simmons has played both safety and linebacker, but the Packers have him working with the linebackers. He should also see work on special teams.

Will this be Simmons’ last chance to prove he can be a quality starter in the NFL? He has a lot to prove in training camp this season.