Packers' quiet approach to free agency hints they may trust an unexpected in-house option more than people realize

One of the most surprising turns of free agency was the Green Bay Packers' decision to not sign an edge rusher. They might have tried, and there was interest in Dayo Odeyingbo, but the decision to remain patient is an indication that they trust the players on the roster more than the outside public would.

Sure, Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness are the obvious options expecting a better performance in 2025 because of their draft pedigree. But the big, real answer might be lower on the depth chart.

It's Brenton Cox Jr.

His role got significantly bigger last year after the Packers traded Preston Smith away ahead of the deadline. In the second half of the season, Cox reached four sacks, 17 pressures, and a 72.0 pass rush grade via PFF.

"He's athletic, he's got good speed to power, he's strong and he showed that he can finish," defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. "And he's getting good at running games, too, which has been fun to watch."

The Packers tend to be very specific about their preferred style for a defensive end. You look at their high investments, and it's always athletic players, but also heavy ones. Gary and Van Ness are over 270 lbs, just like Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith were when the Packers signed them in free agency.

Brenton Cox brings a very different element to the defense, and it's something that worked surprisingly well in Hafley's scheme. Cox is a lighter, 250-lb edge rusher, with a bendiness and quickness to reach the passer that the roster doesn't have elsewhere.

The sample size is still small, but Cox was clearly the most efficient pass rusher of the group in 2024. He needed only 5.7 pass rush snaps to generate a pressure on average. The player expected to take a leap, Lukas Van Ness, needed 12.35 pass rush snaps.

Brenton Cox has always had talent. But his college career involved being dismissed by both Georgia and Florida, moments that included a marijuana arrest and discussions with coaches. Going into the 2023 draft, he was perceived as an early fifth-round prospect, but fell down and ended up going undrafted.

The Packers had a serious conversation with him and trusted Cox. They expected a new attitude, because it could be his last chance.

After a year and a half being mostly a healthy scratch on the 53-man roster, he finally had more opportunities. And in 2025, Cox wants to be an even better version of himself.

"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."

Formerly undrafted, lighter than what the Packers usually prefer, and with a track record of off-field issues. You wouldn't expect a player with this profile to succeed in Green Bay.