Okay, seriously, the Packers' linebacker position is straight-up weird right now. It is not quite where it needs to be, but it is not totally rebuilding either. This team has been trying to figure out this spot for almost a decade and they still have not landed on a real solution. Think about it: they have gone from Mike Pettine to Joe Barry to Jeff Hafley, and now Jonathan Gannon is calling the shots, and the vision at linebacker seems to just be "get good ones," which, let's be real, is not a strategy.
The Green Bay Rollercoaster at Linebacker
The history here is a trip. Brian Gutekunst signed Christian Kirksey to replace Blake Martinez, then Kirksey did what he does and got hurt. Then they practically stumbled into De’Vondre Campbell, who had the season of his life, only for them to double down and get burned almost immediately. They tried to pair Campbell with Quay Walker, and when that blew up, they tried Walker with Edgerrin Cooper. That pairing also ran its course, and now it is Cooper teaming up with Zaire Franklin, a former collaborator of Gannon's. What is the plan? It feels like there is no coherent philosophy here, just a constant reshuffle trying to find the best two guys to soak up snaps. It has left them with a bunch of players, but no real clear present or future for the position.What's Up With Franklin and Cooper?
Take Zaire Franklin. He has been a full-time starter in Indianapolis since 2022, but 2025 was a down year for him by pretty much any measure. It is a fair question to ask if we should expect more of that now that he is on the wrong side of 30, especially since he is not exactly a physical marvel. If he loses a step or two, what is left? But then, could Gannon's defense be the perfect spot for him to reclaim his career? Gannon was his boss in Indianapolis, and the Colts' defense struggled across the board last year, so maybe that lets Franklin off the hook a bit. It is possible. Then there is Edgerrin Cooper. This dude was recently voted one of the ten best linebackers in the entire NFL! But his 2025 season was wild. It was not worse than 2024, just different. As a rookie, he was basically let loose as the heat-seeking missile his 40-time promised, but in 2025, he played a much more conservative, coverage-oriented role. Why? Because the Packers relied on Micah Parsons to do most of their pass rushing. That is not a bad idea, but it makes you wonder about the long-term plan for a top-tier talent like Cooper. What kind of monster could he be if they just unleash him consistently? This whole situation is just something to keep an eye on, you know? What kind of vision will Gannon ultimately implement for this key defensive spot?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.