This is the next in a series of articles providing an in-depth analysis of each position group on the Green Bay Packers for 2025. Today we will analyze the linebackers. The grades will be for each unit as a whole, but we will give an analysis of each player, their strengths, and weaknesses and where they stand heading into the offseason. Here are the grades for the Packers linebackers in 2025. The marks are based on a combination of expectations and performance. The average grade is a C+.
You can see our final grade for the quarterbacks here, for the defensive tackles here, and the running backs here.
Final Grade for the 2025 Packers Linebackers: The Starters
Quay Walker led the team in tackles for the fourth straight season. Walker brings speed and athleticism to the defense. He has also developed into a leader and now wears the green dot on his helmet to communicate with coaches pre-snap.
Walker finished the season with a career-high 128 tackles including eight tackles for loss. He also recorded 2.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits and deflected five passes.
His speed allows him to cover running backs and tight ends in passing situations and to blitz the quarterback.
The weakness in Walker’s game continues to be a lack of big plays. In four seasons with the team, Walker intercepted one pass and recovered one fumble. He hasn’t forced a fumble since his rookie season in 2022. His ability to read plays and make quick decisions has also been questioned.
Unless the Packers sign him to a new contract, Walker will become an unrestricted free agent in March.
Edgerrin Cooper became a full-time starter in his second NFL season. The addition of Micah Parsons to the defense changed his role and Cooper had less of an impact that he did in his rookie year.
The former Texas A&M star made 118 total tackles but only recorded four tackles for loss after making 13 the previous season. He also recorded 0.5 sacks after making 3.5 as a rookie. Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley didn’t call on Cooper to be as disruptive as he was in 2024 with Parsons on the field.
Cooper still has great speed and the potential to become a Pro Bowl player. The key question will be how the new defensive coordinator decides to utilize him.
Isaiah McDuffie played all 17 games for the Pack and started 12. He made 92 total tackles including three tackles for loss and recorded one sack. He also made one interception.
The former Boston College star lacks elite athletic ability, but he’s smart and gives all out effort. He is stronger defending the run than he is dropping back in coverage against the pass. He also adds leadership and contributes on special teams.
Primary Backup Linebackers
Ty’Ron Hopper contributed mostly on special teams. He started two games on defense but was only on the field for 11 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. Hopper finished the season with 24 tackles including one tackle for loss. He also forced one fumble in his limited action.
Hopper has the speed you like at the position and he can hit, but his ability to read plays and master the defense has been questioned. If Walker departs in free agency, Hopper has a chance to show he can take on a bigger role in 2026.
Nick Niemann didn’t play a single snap on defense although he is listed as a linebacker. The special teams ace played seven games before an injury kept him out of the lineup for the other 10. He finished the season with 11 total tackles.
Kristian Welch also provided the team with strong special teams play. He did play two snaps on defense in eight games and spent some time on the practice squad. Welch finished the season with three tackles all on special teams.
Jamon Johnson spent most of the season on the practice squad but played two games and started one. He made 10 total tackles in the season finale against the Vikings. The undrafted free agent out of Kentucky will be back to compete for a job next season.
Final Grade for the Packers 2025 Linebackers
The Packers linebackers did a good job of keeping plays in front of them and rallying to the ball in pass coverage. The run defense broke down later in the season when Devonte Wyatt and Parsons were both out of the lineup.
The linebackers had a different role than last season and weren’t called on to blitz as often. The result was fewer big plays and less impressive stats. This unit was solid but not spectacular.
With Quay Walker not likely to return, there’s a starting job available in 2026. We’ll see how the new defensive coordinator handles the linebackers and what kind of role he’ll want them to play.
FINAL GRADE: B
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Click here for more great Packers coverage
Check out our YouTube channel here
