Packers surprise signing would land four-time Pro Bowl linebacker

As the Green Bay Packers look to strengthen their defense before September, adding a Pro Bowl linebacker with championship aspirations could be a sneaky good move.

Linebacker is not necessarily an area of deep concern for Green Bay, but the Packers will be relying on youth to deliver at that position. It would be prudent for general manager Brian Gutekunst to add some experienced depth behind Green Bay’s young linebacker corps.

Under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers are building a defense that will require dynamic play at linebacker. Rookie Edgerrin Cooper is already turning heads in Green Bay, and it’s assumed that he’ll be given the opportunity to start alongside Quay Walker in Week 1. Isaiah McDuffie should see his playing time drastically increase in his fourth season, especially in Hafley’s 4-3 scheme.

Walker, Cooper, and McDuffie look solid on paper, but the Packers could get exposed if either Cooper or McDuffie struggle in a heightened role, or if an injury befalls any of the three starters.

There are veteran linebackers available on the free agent market, a trend Gutekunst must be monitoring as he looks to provide insurance for Hafley.

One of those experienced linebackers happens to be Anthony Barr, a four-time Pro Bowler.

Barr, 32, barely played for the Minnesota Vikings last season, but he’s reportedly healthy and capable of providing value to an NFL team, especially in a backup role.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine recently named Barr as a potential fit for Green Bay, noting that Barr and free agent Kwon Alexander are both available.

“Kwon Alexander could be a nice fit and Anthony Barr is still looking for a home,” Ballentine said. “Neither would be long-term solutions but could afford Cooper a longer runway to playing time.”

A Barr-Packers partnership would be mutually beneficial. Green Bay would be getting a veteran voice in their locker room to mentor guys like Cooper. Barr would be given the chance to join a rising contender and vie for one thing that has eluded him in his decorated career: an NFL title.

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