Karl Brooks‘ snap count jumped from 459 defensive snaps in 2024 to 664 in 2025, mostly because of the injuries the Green Bay Packers dealt with along the defensive line. That bigger workload didn’t do him any favors, as his play declined. The best course of action for Green Bay is to get Brooks back into a rotational role, where he’s proven to be more effective.
Brooks recorded 7.5 sacks over his first two seasons, but managed just half a sack in 2025. A big reason for that was that he was asked to play more snaps and take on more responsibilities as a run defender.
That has never been his biggest strength. He has earned PFF run-defense grades of 46.8 in 2023, 39.7 in 2024, and 38.9 in 2025. Throughout his career, Brooks has been at his best as an interior pass rusher. Therefore, asking him to handle a heavier, every-down workload took away from what he does best.
The 2023 sixth-round pick is listed at 296 lbs. on ESPN, making him lighter than the prototypical defensive linemen Green Bay usually targets. So it’s not surprising that asking him to handle a heavy run-defense workload decreased his production.
Brooks has always built his game around quickness and penetration, not consistently taking on double teams and eating up blocks. That’s exactly what makes him such an effective interior pass rusher, and why he’s better suited for a rotational role than an every-down one.
Devonte Wyatt should be healthy for the start of the season. Meanwhile, the Packers signed Javon Hargrave in free agency and used a third-round pick on Chris McClellan. Wyatt and Hargrave will probably handle the every-down workload, which should allow Brooks to settle back into the role that suits him best. Instead of the Packers asking him to play heavy snaps, they can deploy him on obvious passing downs.
It should also be in Green Bay’s best interest to avoid asking Brooks to handle a starter-level workload in 2026. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Packers have reportedly viewed him as part of their long-term plans.
The best way to maximize his production and his value is to put him in the role where he’s most effective. If Brooks returns to being a rotational interior pass rusher and produces at the level he showed during his first two seasons, he’ll give the Packers a much clearer reason to invest in him with a second contract.
There’s a reason teams place such a premium on interior pass rush. Quarterbacks can escape pressure off the edge, but it’s much harder to function when the pocket collapses from the inside. That’s where Brooks has the chance to make the biggest impact.
So, with everyone healthy, the Packers should finally be able to get one of their most underrated pass rushers back on track. If Karl Brooks returns to the role that fits him best, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put together the best season of his career. Hopefully, he balls out this year and gets paid. He’s such a cool dude. And, no, I’m not saying that because I have an agenda.
