Why Edgerrin Cooper’s absence is a big deal

It's easy to understand that Green Bay Packers off-ball linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was (and still likely is) a budding star, and an incredibly important player for the Packers. You don't need any fancy numbers or a scout's eye to pick him out, he's the kind of player that just looks different. Even among professional athletes, he's faster, lighter on his feet, and changes direction in a way that seems to defy physics.

Cooper also plays a position that is often looked down on by analysts as the least "valuable" part of the defense. Like running backs on offense, most teams (not the Packers, mind you) are able to field at least competent running backs without difficulty. The "off ball" linebacker is not directly in control of pressuring the quarterback or covering receivers, and while they are important, they play a secondary support role.

The problem with wedging Edgerrin Cooper into this analysis is that the reason you can generally find a competent linebacker is because that other positions CAN serve to cover many of their responsibilities. (Emphasis on can.) Good safeties can reduce the field they are responsible for in pass coverage. Good defensive linemen can create clear lanes for them in run support. Good edge rushers can occupy multiple blockers, leaving them free to shoot up field and bring people down. And in doing so, they can allow a linebacker to play to his strengths. The well-liked veteran Zaire Franklin is this kind of linebacker, and honestly, he's a great running mate for Cooper. Franklin is smart, he's generally in the right position, and he's a sure tackler, but he's slow and can be exploited in pass defense.

To put it simply, for most teams the play of the non-linebackers can allow that team to get away with lesser linebackers. However, with Cooper, the exact opposite is true. Cooper allowed the Packers to get away with lesser players at other every other position AND allowed the good players and stars at other positions to focus on what they do best. Without him, every edge rusher and corner will have to focus more on tasks that they would prefer not to be bothered with. Zaire Franklin will have to cover more than he (or the Packers) would like. Evan Williams and Xavier McKinney will have to worry just a bit more about the space in front of them. Every time a tight end is split out wide, someone will have to make a decision that they previously did not have to make.

Green Bay has had an extremely rough few seasons so far losing lynchpins, going back to Micah Parsons. All teams suffer injuries, but few have endured quite so many "domino effect" losses. The Packers spent the last two weeks valiantly attempting to repair their interior offensive line by signing three veterans, only to have another big leak spring on defense. They did not have a ton of depth in the first place, and Cooper is one of the least replaceable players on the team. The Bears will, at least be starting backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, but even so, the Packers face a tall task on defense going forward.