One priority the Green Bay Packers have as they enter the 2025 campaign is to improve the pass rush from the front four. While the team ranked 8th in the league with 45 sacks a year ago, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley had to use stunts, blitzes, and deception to get them there. No Packers defensive lineman had more than 7.5 sacks last season. While there is a lot of talk about a pair of former first round picks possibly improving this situation, don’t overlook this Packers player on defense in 2025. He could help the Packers improve the pass rush this season.

Don’t Overlook This Packers Player on Defense in 2025: His Career So Far

Brenton Cox took an unusual path to his place with the Packers. He was a highly regarded college player but off the field issues hurt his career. Cox moved from Georgia to Florida as a result and his draft stock plummeted. He went from a potential early round pick to being completely undrafted.

The Packers signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023, hoping he could straighten out his issues and that his talent would shine through.

Cox made the team and played in four games as a rookie. He took only four total snaps on defense and nine on special teams.

In 2024, Cox didn’t see the field until midseason when the Packers dealt Preston Smith to Pittsburgh at the trade deadline. Then, he entered the Packers defensive end rotation for the final seven games of the season.

Once he got on the field, he played well. Cox recorded four sacks in those seven games despite playing just 35 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. He also had seven quarterback hits and five tackles for loss.

Cox Earns Praise

We know on pure talent and athletic ability Cox can compete for a starting job. He worked hard for a season and half without getting to play much, which had to be difficult.

With his strong finish, he earned the praise of head coach Matt LaFleur late last season. “I would expect to see more of him, and hopefully he’ll continue to grow as a player,” LaFleur said. “But I think it all starts with approach, how he attacks it, how he comes into the building. He’s had to earn everything he’s gotten up to this point, but I am excited about him, and I think there’s going to be more out there for him.”

Hafley also liked what he saw from Cox late last season. “The beautiful thing is he’s getting better, though, because he’s getting game reps,” Hafley told reporters. “The jump he’s made from his first game until now that he’s actually played, we keep playing him more and more and he keeps showing up. He knows what he’s doing, he’s confident in what he’s doing, and he’s playing really fast and he’s a very talented player, and I love the way he practices every day.”

This season, Cox will get a chance to compete for a starting job from day one of training camp.

Don’t Overlook This Packers Player on Defense in 2025: Looking Ahead

While Cox played well in limited action last season, he still faces competition for playing time this season. With training camp now under way, the Packers are certain that Rashan Gary will be the starter at one defensive end spot. The other is up for grabs.

Cox will be competing with former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness and veteran Kingsley Enagbare. Last season, Enagbare took over as the starter when Smith was traded. Van Ness would have to be considered the favorite to start as of now, but he still needs to prove he’s ready for that job.

If Cox doesn’t start, he will battle for a spot in the pass rush rotation with Van Ness, Enagbare, and rookies Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver.

This will be a critical season in Cox’s development. He could earn a starting spot or a carve out a major role on the defense or he could remain a minor role player. This will have a big impact on the future trajectory of his career.

 

 

 

 

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