After extending linebacker Isaiah McDuffie, the Green Bay Packers now have him, Edgerrin Cooper, and Zaire Franklin under contract through 2027. If all goes according to plan, the defense should be set at inside linebacker.
While McDuffie deserved an extension in his own right, the move also suggests that the Packers were less than comfortable counting on former third-round pick Ty'Ron Hopper to fill his shoes next season, with McDuffie set to hit free agency.
That's understandable. Although Hopper has shown flashes, through two seasons the Packers have limited him primarily to special teams. With McDuffie on an expiring contract, it seemed as though Hopper might get his shot in the near future. Instead, his path to a larger role remains blocked through the duration of his rookie deal.
Ty'Ron Hopper continues to face uphill fight for larger role
Most Packers fans did not circle McDuffie as a priority re-signing, so it wasn't inconceivable that the team would let him walk in a year and give Hopper a chance despite his limited experience. Green Bay has cast that possibility into an unlikely corner by committing to McDuffie for another season.
Keeping Hopper in his current role as a heavy special teams contributor should suit the Packers just fine. The 25-year-old Missouri alum has logged nearly 500 snaps in that department over the past two years, taking the field on two-thirds of all special teams plays in 2025.
For Hopper, though, it could be somewhat discouraging looking up the depth chart and seeing little opportunity to carve out a bigger role on the defense. If he continues to see most of his playing time on special teams, it will be that much more difficult.
He could, of course, have the chance to prove himself in the unfortunate event of an injury, similar to last year with Quay Walker sidelined. Hopper held his own across two starts and 126 defensive snaps; it just wasn't enough to convince the Packers to ask more out of him in 2026.
Hopper still has a reason to hold out hope for a promotion. While the team is optimistic about Franklin's likelihood of rebounding, he is coming off an abysmal year for the Indianapolis Colts.
The 2024 All-Pro is entering his age-30 season after earning PFF's second-worst grade at inside linebacker. If Franklin is more that guy than the All-Pro version, Hopper could climb the ranks as soon as this season.
Right now, though, that feels unlikely. The Packers have made it clear they would rather keep McDuffie in the picture than leave Hopper as the next man up.
Add us as a preferred source on Google