Late last season, the Green Bay Packers struggled mightily on defense. It was no secret that their sudden inability to rush the passer or stop the run was linked the loss of Micah Parsons due to a torn ACL. As a result, Green Bay spent various resources this offseason to add quality players and more depth on the defensive front.
One of their most high-profile free agent signings was that of two-time Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman Javon Hargrave . His signing not only stole him away from NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings , but also reunited him with Jonathan Gannon , who was the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles for most of Hargrave's tenure there.
In his 10 NFL seasons, Hargrave has played with many great pass rushers. Because of this, his comments on a certain young Green Bay pass rusher carry a great deal of weight.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Brenton Cox Jr. (57) celebrates sacking Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the final moments of the football game during Thursday, November 28, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Speaking after practice on Tuesday, Hargrave was asked about some of the young pass rushers that he is now playing alongside. As Parsons will miss the first several weeks of the season as he continues to recover from his ACL injury, there are understandably many questions regarding how good the defensive front is going to be.
Hargrave had good things to say about many of his new teammates, but had especially high praise for former undrafted free agent Brenton Cox.
"Man, he's got every move in the book," Hargrave said . "Especially pass rush. He went outside, inside, power. I feel like he's got no weaknesses when it comes to that. There's not many that can do that, honestly. You've either got a power, or sometimes you've got a speed guy, but I feel like he shows everything with power and speed. That just makes him so much more dangerous."
An undrafted free agent in 2023, Cox has played in 15 career games. He has missed time both because of injury and also due to the number of drafted players ahead of him on the depth chart. In those 15 games, though, he has 5.0 career sacks.
Cox really flashed what he is capable of back in 2024 when he played seven games late in the year following numerous injuries to Green Bay's defensive line. In that time, he had 12 total tackles, 4.0 sacks, and a forced fumble.
With Parsons out for at least the first five games of 2026, the Packers will need players like Cox to step up and fill the void.
Based on what Hargrave said about the young pass rusher, Green Bay fans will have someone to cheer hard for in the interim.
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