The Green Bay Packers enter training camp 2026 with one glaring question on their defense: Who starts in place of Micah Parsons?
While Lukas Van Ness appears locked into a starting edge position, the vacancy opposite him has become one of the most important training-camp competitions. With Parsons continuing his recovery from a torn ACL, Green Bay needs someone capable of handling a significant workload from Week 1.
There are technically four candidates for the spot, including the rookie fourth-round pick Dani Dennis-Sutton and second-year linebacker Collin Oliver. However, Barryn Sorrell and Brenton Cox Jr are the two most realistic candidates. Both players have flashed legitimate NFL ability, but they bring very different skill sets to Jonathan Gannon’s defense.
Cox offers the higher upside as a pure pass rusher, while Sorrell provides the steadier, more complete game. Ultimately, once things are settled in camp, expect Barryn Sorrell to earn the starting nod.
That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be the better statistical player over the course of the season. It simply means he’ll be the player the Packers trust to open games.
However, there’s an argument for Brenton Cox Jr.
Whenever Cox has been healthy and the Packers have given him opportunities, he has consistently generated pressure. In 2024, he racked up four sacks, seven QB hits, and five tackles for loss in just seven games. His first step is explosive, he bends naturally around offensive tackles, and he has shown an ability to finish once he reaches the quarterback.
Through limited NFL action, his sack production has been impressive considering his snap count. Green Bay has seen firsthand what kind of havoc he can create in passing situations. His three years of NFL experience are also valuable.
Although Cox entered the league as an undrafted free agent, he has spent multiple years developing in Green Bay’s defensive system. He understands the terminology, has worked against the Packers’ offensive line every day in practice, and has already proven he belongs on an NFL field.
If the Packers were looking strictly for their best designated pass rusher, Cox might actually be the favorite. However, starting defensive end in new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s system requires much more than simply getting after the quarterback.
The Packers ask their edge defenders to play disciplined football against the run, set hard edges, and rush with lane integrity. They’ll also occasionally drop into coverage to play assignment-sound football, snap after snap.
That’s where Sorrell separates himself.
Coming out of Texas, Sorrell was never viewed as the flashiest edge prospect in his draft class. Instead, scouts consistently praised his effort, football IQ, physicality, and technical refinement. He rarely freelanced, understood leverage exceptionally well, and consistently played within the defense’s structure.
Those same traits have already begun to translate to the NFL. During his rookie season, Sorrell quietly made the most of limited opportunities. His numbers won’t jump off the page, but Green Bay trusted him in meaningful situations because he consistently handled his assignments.
His strong Week 18 performance showcased exactly why the coaching staff remains so high on his potential. He had a sack, a forced fumble, and looked comfortable playing an expanded workload.
More importantly, Sorrell plays the type of football defensive coordinators love. He’s dependable and has made very few mental mistakes for such a young player. He has also shown he understands how to force runs back inside. Unlike some edge rushers we have seen in Green Bay in recent years – looking at you No. 52 – he plays with relentless effort from whistle to whistle.
Those qualities often determine who starts games, even if another player offers more splash-play potential.
Roster construction is another factor working in Sorrell’s favor. With Parsons unavailable to begin the season, Green Bay cannot afford to have both starting edge defenders be one-dimensional pass rushers. Van Ness has developed into a versatile defender capable of moving inside on passing downs, but someone still has to handle the dirty work on early downs.
Sorrell fits that role naturally. His ability to anchor against the run allows Gannon greater flexibility with his defensive fronts. The Packers can comfortably slide Van Ness inside during obvious passing situations while leaving Sorrell outside to maintain edge discipline. That versatility is valuable over the course of a game.
Meanwhile, Cox may actually become even more dangerous in a rotational role as a pure designated pass rusher in obvious passing situations. There’s no shame in being Green Bay’s designated pass-rushing specialist. Some of the NFL’s best defensive lines maximize production by keeping explosive pass rushers fresh rather than asking them to play 60 snaps every Sunday.
Imagine Cox entering games against tired offensive tackles in obvious passing situations. His burst becomes even more dangerous. Rather than asking him to consistently defend outside-zone runs or absorb pulling guards, the Packers can unleash him to attack quarterbacks. That could ultimately produce more sacks than if he were starting. It could turn into a role he could become comfortable in and continue to excel in once Parsons returns.
The Packers also tend to reward consistency over raw athletic upside when determining their starting lineup. General manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur have repeatedly shown that young players earn playing time through trust. Coaches want players who execute the game plan correctly before worrying about highlight plays.
Sorrell checks every one of those boxes.
Reports throughout his first two seasons have consistently praised his work ethic, preparation, and professionalism. He’s continued developing after a promising rookie campaign and appears to have positioned himself as the next young edge defender ready for a larger role.
That doesn’t diminish what Cox has accomplished. His journey from undrafted free agent to legitimate rotational edge defender deserves recognition. Few players with his background survive NFL roster cuts, let alone become meaningful contributors. Every time someone has counted him out, he’s responded with production.
If injuries strike – or if Green Bay needs more pass rush in certain matchups – Cox could finish the season with a bigger sack total than Sorrell. That outcome wouldn’t be surprising at all. But earning the first snap of the season is about more than sack totals. It’s about trust, consistency, and handling every aspect of the position and being an all-around player. That’s why Sorrell ultimately gets the edge.
Cox will still play an important role for the Packers this season and should have plenty of opportunity to impact games as a situational pass rusher. But when the Packers take the field for the opening defensive snap of the 2026 season, expect No. 99, Barryn Sorrell, to line up opposite Lukas Van Ness.
