Green Bay Packers Sign 2nd-Round Pick Edgerrin Cooper to Rookie Contract
The Green Bay Packers entered the draft with a clear need to strengthen their linebacker corps, which had been a weak spot in their defense last season.
Over the past three seasons, De’Vondre Campbell served as the Packers’ primary linebacker. Although he excelled in 2021 and earned All-Pro honors, Campbell struggled with injuries in 2022 and 2023, preventing him from maintaining his All-Pro performance. Consequently, the Packers released him in March as a post-June 1st cut.
To address their linebacker issues, the Packers selected Edgerrin Cooper in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft, using the 45th overall pick. Cooper has now signed his rookie contract, which is a 4-year deal worth $8,598,920, including a $3,073,760 signing bonus.
Cooper played college football at Texas A&M, where he committed as a four-star recruit for the 2020 season. During his college career, he played in 45 games, starting 21 of them, and accumulated 205 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two interceptions, eight pass deflections, and three forced fumbles.
In 2023, Cooper started all 12 games, recording 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He earned high grades for his performance, including an 86.4 pass rush grade, an 87.6 run defense grade, an 85.5 coverage grade, and a 90.8 overall PFF grade. His outstanding play earned him First Team All-SEC and First Team All-American honors from the Associated Press.
Looking at the Packers’ current linebacker roster, which includes eight players, the team is transitioning to a 4-3 defensive scheme and will start three linebackers this season. Cooper and Quay Walker are expected to start, with Isaiah McDuffie and Ty’Ron Hopper likely competing for the third starting position.
Jordan Love’s Strong Finish Earns Him Consideration for Major Contract Extension
In 2023, Jordan Love took over as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers despite his limited experience. With a bridge deal, Love had a particularly impressive second half of the season, solidifying the team’s confidence in him as a long-term solution.
The 2020 first-round pick achieved a 96.1 passer rating and ranked second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes in 2023, leading the Packers to the divisional round of the playoffs. This performance has strengthened his position in ongoing contract extension negotiations, which could be finalized soon.
Last offseason saw four quarterbacks—Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts—signing substantial second contracts, resetting the market. Recently, Jared Goff joined this group with a new deal from the Lions. As a result, new contracts for franchise quarterbacks are expected to average $50 million or more annually. Despite his inexperience, Love could be poised to reach similar financial heights.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that it is only a matter of time before Love becomes one of the highest-paid quarterbacks. Mike Garafolo added that Love is expected to secure a deal comparable to Burrow’s, who currently has a $55 million-per-year contract.
Love’s path to starting quarterback began when the Packers moved on from Aaron Rodgers, replacing Love’s fifth-year option with a one-year extension. With the extension eligible for further negotiation after May 4, both sides are now free to discuss a long-term deal. If the Packers view 2024 as indicative of Love’s peak performance, a top-of-market contract could be a wise investment.
This offseason could see several high-value quarterback deals, with players like Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence, and Tua Tagovailoa potentially signing new contracts based on recent market trends and the 2024 salary cap increase. Waiting for these deals to finalize might allow Love to negotiate an even more lucrative contract.
However, Love’s limited experience—20 combined regular and postseason starts with 16 interceptions—might cause the Packers to hesitate. Although he showed significant improvement in 2023, his early-season struggles and decision-making in critical playoff moments highlight areas for growth. Love is set to earn $11 million in 2024, but this figure will rise significantly with his next contract, even if it is more modest.
The Packers have backup quarterback Sean Clifford and seventh-round draft pick Michael Pratt developing for the future. While they provide depth, the team has already indicated its support for a substantial contract for Love. The timing and terms of this deal will be a key storyline moving forward.
Leave a Reply