GREEN BAY – It's been an offseason of reflection and revitalization for Edgerrin Cooper.
And a little time spent with his horses, too.
"They got some good riding in this offseason," said the Packers linebacker and horse enthusiast on Tuesday morning. "Keeps me busy."
Less than a week from the start of Green Bay's offseason program, Cooper returned to town this week to participate in the annual Packers Tailgate Tour across the state of Wisconsin.
It's the latest indication of the third-year linebacker's rising stardom after Cooper shot onto the scene the past two years, recording 194 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception in 30 regular-season games with 20 starts.
That production has earned Cooper a fan in former Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop, who joins the Green Bay's burgeoning defensive playmaker on this year's Tailgate Tour.
"I like him," laughed Bishop, a member of the Packers' Super Bowl XLV team. "When I watch him, I'm like, 'Man, I wish I could play with him. I'd be flying around with you.' Let's go. It's exciting to watch him. He reminds me of a throwback, for sure."
Along with his equestrian endeavors, Cooper has been active in the weight room in preparing for his third NFL season. A year ago, Cooper made it known his goal was to bulk up to forge his body for the rigors of a long NFL season.
The plan worked. The 24-year-old linebacker didn't miss a game due to injury in 2025 while finishing second on the defense in tackles (117) and playing time (1,046 snaps).
Now, he's looking to keep that momentum.
"Just one day at a time. Getting 1% better every day," Cooper said. "Just trying to be the best I can be and preparing myself for the biggest situations and just going from there."
Awaiting Cooper once the Packers' offseason program begins next Monday is a wave of change on defense, beginning at defensive coordinator.
Former Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon has replaced Jeff Hafley, who left in January to become Miami's new head coach. Cooper also will have a new running mate in ninth-year veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin, who supplants Quay Walker.
Cooper said he's spoken with both Gannon and Franklin and doesn't expect the offseason switch-up to be an issue. After all, he earned a place on the PFWA All-Rookie team after posting 87 tackles (13 for loss) with 3½ sacks and an INT playing alongside Walker during his debut in Hafley's defense in 2024.
"Seemed like great people already," Cooper said of his initial conversations. "Once (Gannon's) here and I'm here, I'm ready to show him more of what I can do. I'm just preparing for what's to come next."
At last month's NFL Annual Meeting, General Manager Brian Gutekunst expressed his excitement to pair Cooper with Franklin in the middle of the defense. Franklin, 29, is two seasons removed from earning second-team All-Pro honors in Indianapolis after leading the NFL with 173 tackles.
Admittedly, it will feel a bit odd for Cooper no longer playing alongside Walker. The 2022 first-round pick signed with Las Vegas in free agency after leading Green Bay in tackles the past three years while relaying the defensive play calls.
Walker was one of five players who departed in unrestricted free agency. Green Bay also traded edge rusher Rashan Gary to Dallas for a 2027 fourth-round pick and defensive tackle Colby Wooden to Indianapolis to acquire Franklin.
"It's a part of the business. You never know what to expect," Cooper said. "It's sad seeing those guys leave, but it's part of it. It's the business. It happens with everyone. It's who (left). It's who's here now. That's how we're gonna go forward."
That first step begins next week. Until then, Cooper is excited to put "smiles on people's faces" during his maiden voyage on the Tailgate Tour. Riding alongside Cooper are Bishop, Packers safety Evan Williams, President and CEO Ed Policy and alumni James Jones, Randall Cobb and Brandon Jackson on the Tailgate Tour.
The tour will weave its way across Wisconsin before wrapping up Saturday. After that, Cooper's focus shifts solely back to football and what he hopes will be a breakout 2026 campaign.
"Once we walk into these (Lambeau Field) doors, that's when the business is gonna start," Cooper said. "It's a fresh start and I'm really looking forward to what's gonna happen."
