The Green Bay Packers are set to open training camp later this month. This is the next in a series of articles previewing the Packers position by position, analyzing the talent on the roster and discussing key questions that are facing the team as they begin preparation for the 2026 season. Today we will examine the linebackers. We will examine another position each day until the start of training camp. To read our quarterbacks analysis, click here, for defensive tackles, click here, and for running backs, click here. These are three big questions facing the Green Bay Packers at linebacker entering training camp in 2026:
The Projected Candidates: Starters: Zaire Franklin and Edgerrin Cooper; Backups: Ty’Ron Hopper and Isaiah McDiffie; Fighting for roster spots: Nick Niemann, TJ Quinn, Kristian Welch
Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Linebacker, Number One: Will Zaire Franklin Replace Quay Walker
Quay Walker had great speed but never rose to the level of a great linebacker. His inability to read plays and drop into coverage prevented him from taking his game to the next level. The Packers parted ways with Walker this offseason and traded for veteran Zaire Franklin.
Franklin brings toughness and experience to the linebacking crew. He will take over as the play caller on the field, a role Walker held last season. He plays the run well and makes a lot of tackles. Like Walker, Franklin plays the run better than he plays pass coverage.
Franklin led the NFL in tackles in 2024 with 173 including 11 tackles for loss. He earned Pro Bowl honors that year and was named second team All Pro. He can also pressure the quarterback and registered 5.5 total sacks and 10 quarterback hits over the last two seasons combined.
The Packers hope Franklin’s grit, toughness and football intelligence will be an upgrade over Walker this season. His experience should also help the defense make the adjustment to the new defense Jonathan Gannon will introduce this season which features a three-man front in base.
Number Two: Can Edgerrin Cooper Break Out?
Edgerrin Cooper may be the key to the Packers linebacker unit this season. He enters his third NFL campaign looking to have a breakout season and to fulfill the early promise he showed as a rookie.
In 2024, the Texas A&M alum made a lot of big plays despite only starting four games and not knowing all of his assignments within the defensive structure. He recorded 3.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, intercepted a pass and recovered two fumbles.
Last season, Cooper became a full-time starter and was comfortable in the defense. He made 118 total tackles and played a steady and consistent game. The big plays, however, were way down. He recorded only half a sack and four tackles for loss. The reduction in big plays was partially due to the way Cooper was utilized. He was not blitzing as often or expected to penetrate the line of scrimmage. After the Packers acquired Micah Parsons, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley utilized Cooper differently.
One big question now is how Gannon will utilize Cooper. The early indications are Cooper should get more chances to make impact plays this season. If Cooper can combine the big play ability he showed as a rookie and the strong positional play he showed last season, he has Pro Bowl potential. If he realizes that potential, the defense will have another difference maker to Parsons and Xavier McKinney.
Three Big Questions Facing the Packers at Linebacker, Number Three: Will Ty’Ron Hopper Live Up to His Potential?
The Packers recently signed backup linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a one-year contract extension. McDuffie is super reliable, smart, and contributes regularly on special teams. Whenever he’s called on to play defense, he does a solid job.
The other primary backup is former third-round pick Ty’Ron Hopper. Hopper tackles hard and has good athletic ability. However, Hopper has yet to put it all together and prove he can develop into a solid NFL starting linebacker.
Hopper enters his third season in the NFL and yet he has started only two games. One of them was last year’s season finale where the Packers sat out as many starters as they could. He may be running out of chances to show he can be more than just a serviceable backup and special teams contributor.
The former Missouri star needs to show a better grasp of the defense and the ability to quickly diagnose and read plays to take his game to the next level.
We’ll see if Hopper takes a step forward in 2026 or he remains where he’s been thus far in his NFL career.
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