The Green Bay Packers have unearthed another star on defense. Fans understandably had high expectations for Edgerrin Cooper after the team drafted him in the second round, and he has delivered.
Cooper has battled injuries, but he reminded the world of his All-Pro potential in the Packers’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football.
As legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross would say, Cooper “maximized his minutes.” He made the most of his 34 snaps, making one sack, one interception, six solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and two pass defenses. He did it all.
Head coach Matt LaFleur said Cooper is “scratching the surface” of his potential, and he’s right. Cooper is already this good. Imagine the level he can reach in his second season and beyond.
Not only did the rookie show the Packers what it’s like to finally have a game-changer at linebacker, but he also made some history.
Edgerrin Cooper ends Packers’ three-decade drought during SNF win
His performance was historic. According to Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s official website, Cooper became the first Packers rookie to make a sack and interception in a game since Esera Tuaolo did it in October 1991. For perspective, Cooper was born 10 years later.
It shows how rare that accomplishment is while also highlighting Cooper’s ability to do everything.
He can defend the pass, he can blitz and pressure quarterbacks, and he can force turnovers. Despite only starting one of the 11 games he has played this season, Cooper already has 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four pass defenses, and has forced two turnovers (one fumble, one interception).
Cooper is fourth for the Packers in sacks, tied for second in tackles for loss, fourth in quarterback hits, and fourth in pass defenses. That’s unbelievable, considering he hasn’t yet earned a full-time role and missed three games due to injury.
Imagine how good Cooper will be once he becomes an every-week starter and rarely leaves the field.
His breakout performance comes at the perfect time. The Packers are trending in the right direction on both sides of the ball. Jeff Hafley’s unit ranks 10th in yards allowed, eighth in scoring, and ninth against the run. If Cooper plays at this level in the playoffs, look out.
On offense, Jordan Love has gone four straight games without an interception (the Toyotathon theory is real), and the unit has put up 30-plus points in all four of those contests.
Green Bay is 8-2 over its past 10 games, and its two defeats (both to the Lions) were by a combined 13 points. Nobody will want to play the Packers in the playoffs, and Cooper’s breakout performance gives fans yet another reason to be optimistic.
