Green Bay Packers’ Surprising Free Agency Decision Could Signal Big Things for Brenton Cox Jr.
A Bold Approach to Free Agency One of the most unexpected moves of the 2025 NFL free agency period was the Green Bay Packers’ decision not to sign an edge rusher. While reports suggest the team had interest in Dayo Odeyingbo, they ultimately chose patience over pursuit. This move indicates a significant level of trust in their current roster, despite outside skepticism.
While Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness are the clear front-runners, given their draft pedigree and expected improvement, the real wildcard could be lower on the depth chart—Brenton Cox Jr.
A Breakout Opportunity Cox saw a significant increase in his role last season after the Packers traded Preston Smith before the deadline. In the latter half of the season, Cox accumulated four sacks, 17 pressures, and earned a 72.0 pass-rush grade via PFF.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has been vocal about Cox’s potential.
“He’s athletic, he’s got good speed to power, he’s strong, and he showed that he can finish,” Hafley said. “And he’s getting good at running games, too, which has been fun to watch.”
A Unique Skill Set That Stands Out The Packers have historically targeted a specific prototype for their defensive ends—athletic yet heavy players. Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness both weigh over 270 pounds, much like former stars Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith.
Brenton Cox, on the other hand, offers a completely different approach. At 250 pounds, he brings a level of bend and quickness that is otherwise missing from the Packers’ defensive line. Despite being lighter, he excelled in Hafley’s scheme, proving to be the most efficient pass rusher in 2024.
Cox averaged a pressure every 5.7 pass-rush snaps, which was significantly better than his teammates:
- Brenton Cox: 5.7 snaps per pressure
- Arron Mosby: 8.5 snaps per pressure
- Rashan Gary: 8.85 snaps per pressure
- Kingsley Enagbare: 11.72 snaps per pressure
- Lukas Van Ness: 12.35 snaps per pressure
With this level of efficiency, Cox could carve out a much bigger role in 2025.
Talent vs. Attitude Brenton Cox has never lacked talent. However, his college career was marred by dismissals from both Georgia and Florida, issues that included a marijuana arrest and reported conflicts with coaches. Entering the 2023 draft, Cox was projected as an early fifth-round pick but ultimately went undrafted due to character concerns.
The Packers took a calculated risk on Cox, trusting that a fresh start and a new mindset could help him reach his potential. After spending most of his first year as a healthy scratch, he finally got his shot in 2024 and delivered impressive results.
A Determined Path Forward Now heading into 2025, Cox is focused on taking the next step in his career.
“I definitely will be working this offseason to improve my play in the defense,” Cox told Packers.com. “Getting more into that attacking style that Coach Hafley likes and just improving my all-around game. Get stronger, faster, and more in tune with my pass rush, so I can help the team more and make those plays that we need.”
For a player once labeled as a risky prospect, Cox is proving that talent and dedication can overcome past doubts. If his trajectory continues upward, Green Bay’s quiet approach to free agency might just pay off in a big way.
