What Will the Packers’ Edge Rotation Look Like in Chicago?
Will the Packers see what they have in Sorrell, Oliver in a big spot?
By Kevin Gibson

Before going down for the season with a torn ACL, Green Bay Packers EDGE rusher Micah Parsons, for whom the team traded before the 2025 season, had recorded 12.5 sacks and 79 quarterback pressures.
Since his departure to the training table, the Packers have struggled to get to the quarterback consistently. There’s been some measure of pressure, mostly thanks to the scheming of defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to disguise pressures with varied looks, but Green Bay’s defense has gotten home only five times to show for those efforts, including two sacks in that nothing of a game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.
The Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams, unlike in his rookie year, has proven to be a tough out in the sack department of late, meaning the Packers will have their work cut out for them in Saturday’s win-or-go-home Wildcard tilt in Chicago.
The question is, who will the Packers’ coaching staff run out there on the defensive front when defending Williams and the Bears? Rashan Gary remains effective at setting the edge in the run game, but he hasn’t had a sack since October 26 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His quick pressure rate is woefully low at under 2%, and he simply doesn’t look like the player he once hinted at becoming.
Which brings us to the new guard. Lukas Van Ness is back and healthy and will have a starting role – he has looked good since his return from a foot injury (even if he hasn’t sniffed the quarterback since Week 5), so expect him to get a high percentage of defensive snaps on Saturday. But after solid showings in the Vikings game from rookies Collin Oliver and Barryn Sorrell, what might we see of them against the Bears in a game of such importance?
Green Bay tends to rely on its veterans, but even with that, Gary’s snap counts have been low this season, at least relative to his $25 million-plus cap hit in 2025. His snap count peaked at 73% in Week 12, but since then, he hasn’t cleared the 60% mark, hitting a season low 45% in Week 17 before sitting out the finale in Minnesota.
In the meantime, fellow EDGE Kingsley Enagbare’s snaps have steadily gone up, a reflection of his effectiveness in comparison to his well-compensated teammate. Sorrell has gotten nominal snap counts all season, but showed in Week 18 that he might be worth a longer look in the Wildcard game. Sure, it seems unscientific, but Sorrell just looked like he, for lack of a better term, wanted it last weekend.
The 2025 fourth-round draft pick hustled and bustled his way, over a 78% snap count (52 snaps total), to eight tackles with a sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery – in short, he looked the part against Minnesota’s starting offensive line. He looked decisive, he looked fast.
To these eyes, he looked like he had earned more snaps, and quite frankly, getting him a few snaps in Gary’s stead might not be the worst thing for the Packers on Saturday. Let’s face it, Gary looks gassed – meanwhile, Sorrell looks energized, and some fresh legs getting after the nimble Williams might turn into a blessing.
And Oliver’s versatility can help Hafley disguise pressure looks, something he’s had to do with regularity in the wake of Parsons’ injury. Let’s face it, the Packers’ stud EDGE rusher isn’t walking through that door anytime sooner than next training camp, so the time is now to make the most of what’s in that locker room. If Green Bay opts to eat Gary’s dead cap hit of about $17 million next season, this playoff game could even be a small glimpse into the future – a look at how the development of Cox and the drafting of Sorrell and Oliver might look over the next season or two.
Sure, it’s a hell of a time to experiment, but at the same time, we know what Gary has brought to the table the past two-plus months, and it isn’t conducive to winning defense. JJ and LVN will certainly get their snaps, as will Cox, who has earned his share as well, but it would be fun to see what the Packers’ youth movement on the edge can do in this playoff game, at least situationally. Sorrell sure sounds ready.
“When I go out there, I’m really trying to dominate every phase of the game,” Sorrell told Packers.com’s Larry McCarren this week. “I think that mentality carries out and shows in the way I play. … There’s no better feeling than going out there and making plays, and getting wins.”
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Kevin Gibson is a professional writer and author based in Louisville, Ky. He's also a former sports writer who covered high school, college and professional sports, a Packers shareholder and a fan since 1975. Even John Hadl couldn't break him. Follow him on Twitter: @kgramone
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Comments (33)
splitpea1
January 09, 2026 at 03:17 pm
"Will the Packers see what they have in Sorrell, Oliver in a big spot?"
What the hell, why not? At least in some meaningful capacity, unless the small chance of Gary tearing it up emerges right away. The only thing weighing in Gary's favor at this time is his experience. But Sorrell, Oliver, and Cox, Jr. bring great energy and pursuit; you just hope they're good enough to get off blocks first. Even Van Ness made a couple of good plays in the running game during the last Bears meeting. Ultimately it will be up to Hafley to trust his gut and make the right decision; experience or not, there's no point in having stiffs out there who appear to be on their last legs. Nothing wrong with throwing some unpredictability or x-factors at the Bears offense, either.
KenEllis
January 09, 2026 at 04:17 pm
Why not Sorrell and Oliver?
Because we got the 2019 12th overall pick and 2023 12th pick ready to prove their worth.
JK, bring it on rooks.
ricky
January 09, 2026 at 03:32 pm
It's the playoffs, meaning it's YOLO (You Only Lose Once) time. Go with the fresh legs and the attitude that goes with it. The comment that Gary looks gassed is exactly the problem. Whether he has physical limitations that don't allow him to have a high motor all the time, or he has succumbed to the "I got mine" mindset that can sometimes affect players doesn't matter. Time to bring in some fresh attitude and let the younger players put the older ones on alert: we're coming for your job. Either gut up, shut up or get out of the way.
TarynsEyes
January 09, 2026 at 03:41 pm
It'll look 'dead or alive.'
LASVEGAS-TOM
January 09, 2026 at 10:29 pm
Hey TarynsEyes, There are 2 ways to look at this game. #1, According to Hoyle, & #2 opposite the $$$. Once again I can't call this game yet, cause I cannot see what side the $$$ is going to. So I can't play opposite the $$$, which I did in their last game. I went against every thing I believe & took GB. I firmly believe the $$$ was on Chi in that game, & still feel that way. I took GB & lost. I swear I had that game figured Right. GB won that game??? Only GB can do things like that. Nobody else. 4th & 26, The Failed Mary, That Stupid Onside Kick, & Too Many Hit Goal Posts. #1 History: Tells me GB Wins this game. It also tells me that GB can't cover a 1 1/2 pt. spread against anybody except a Powerhouse like the Pats or Seattle used to be. As I posted a few times before, a 1 1/2 pt. spread is an automatic loss for GB. These are the playoffs. Throw everything out the window. The last time GB played Chi in the Playoffs was 18 yr's ago. GB won on a pick 6. When was the last time Chi beat GB in the Playoffs?? Are you ready for this? December 1942. With all the injuries, I don't see how GB can pull this off at Chicago, but History sure seems to be on their side. One thing you have to consider. Arron Rodgers won't be walking in that building Saturday night, & Brett Favre won't be walking in that building Saturday night either. Those are your choices. I think the $$$ is on Chi again. I went against what I know was the money the last time and lost. I don't remember the last time I was that sure I was against the $$$ and lost. Which way is it? Do we make believe we're playing with Favre or Rodgers, or go against the $$$. One more stat. Jordan has played 6 games against Chi and won 4, actually 5. LVT
jont
January 09, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Contain.
Caleb makes some very good plays when he is on the move. In the pocket, he's average.
Stop the run and force them to throw from the pocket.
Snap the ball
January 10, 2026 at 12:17 am
Gary. Contain get pressure.
ThinkBig
January 09, 2026 at 04:01 pm
Gary has never performed up to his contract....from the moment he was drafted by Gute, the first year was a waste (very limited playing time) and the subsequent years have not produced a double digit sack season. What a waste of $25 million for this year. Gute constantly reaches for draft prospects in the first round.....Morgan last year? Van Ness the year before, has way underperformed and been injured! Devonte Wyatt has underperformed and been injured most of his career! Walker has performed this year when he is on the field, but he has missed several games due to injury! Eric Stokes was a complete joke!!! Savage was a complete joke!!! Alexander had a couple great years then got a gigantic contract and mailed it in! This is proof that Gute is a failure when it comes to first round draft choices....he constantly reaches for players that have high RAS scores & injury histories or underwhelming stats... the perfect example Gary, who never played to his draft #12 and Van Ness never started a game and Gute drafted him at #13!
Idaho Cheese
January 09, 2026 at 05:18 pm
I agree with all, however, I would put Walker at the top of this list for busts. Especially given the fact that Devin Lloyd was there to be drafted and he is top 5 (3?) at the position, whereas Quay doesn't crack the top 30 LB in the NFL at present. He was/is another glaring example of Guty reaching in the first round. I would say Hafley is playing him out of position only because he was drafted in the 1st round.
BabeParilli
January 09, 2026 at 11:30 pm
ThinkBig, you are right. Gutekunst has destroyed a Packers team that was on the brink of Super Bowls and needed 1 or 2 moves to put them over the edge. Instead Gutekunst has given us 8 years of destruction and should be fired immediately.
Trade Jordan.
Make Willis the starter.
Howie Roseman did the same with Wentz - and Wentz had shown more than Jordan - and Jalen Hurts.
If the General Manager for the Eagles Howie Roseman and the Eagles' accountants can figure out how to get rid of Carson Wentz and his then RECORD CONTRACT AND RECORD DEAD CAP HIT, how come Gutekunst and the Packers accountants can't figure out how to get rid of Jordan Love and his Record Contract and Record Dead Cap hit?
Snap the ball
January 10, 2026 at 12:16 am
LOVE can light it up.
Play action under center wins this game , trust the o line
Play action under center. Some roll outs. Control the tempo. Control,the tempo
Lots of tv timeouts Control tempo on both sides of the ball
blacke00
January 10, 2026 at 07:48 am
Gute (for whatever reason) can not identify high end talent. Which seems ridiculous to me. There is a little of TT in Gute. They both had/have the notion that they need to "outsmart" everyone else.
As others have said Gute's high priority to RAS scores is misplaced. You don't or shouldn't have to "develop" a top 20 draft pick. D&D is process for lower Draft choices and UDFAs.
My biggest complaint with him is his constant excuse that the draft is a crap shoot! I wish I could use that excuse anytime I screw up at my job
Many years ago a book was written by a former ML baseball pitcher Jim Bouton. One of the best quotes in the book was from a former manager for then (Seattle Pilots which became the Milwaukee Brewers) The manager was asked about why the team had such lousy record? He answered...."I managed good they just played bad" Kinda sounds like Gute to me.
jannesbjornson
January 10, 2026 at 10:04 am
As they say, players, not plays...not many pelts on this guys wall.
EnemyTerritory
January 10, 2026 at 04:16 pm
Why can’t our GM get players that are never injured? Thinker forgot to add Parsons to the list of failures. All Pro status doesn’t make up for Gutey getting a injury prone player. He should anticipate the ACLs. Same with Bahktiari. He should have anticipated Stokes’ Meniscus, LisFranc, and hamstring injuries would sap his effectiveness just as he should have anticipated the Alexander injuries and surgeries. There is no reason these players can’t play 18 games a year at the highest level injury free.this team needs to petition the rules committee to eliminate the Injured Reserve designation. It’s only right and totally consistent with Thinkers logic. Gutey has to go. It’s so obvious. /s
Starrbrite
January 09, 2026 at 04:43 pm
I believe LVN, Sorrell, Oliver, and Diggs, will all be a factor in a Packer win.
I would start Diggs.
Go Packers!!!
Coldworld
January 10, 2026 at 11:09 am
I want to see more of Cox and Sorrell on rush downs. If Oliver plays it’s because he’s made a case to be in STs and is available as an “extra” DE for passing downs.
He’s simply not going to hold up against the run. The only other way I see him on the field is if he’s played as a spy. It seems a stretch at this point given his B lack of practice. More likely we use a conventional ILB or S like Hopper or Oladapo (if not a starter). However, Oliver was timed faster than either, so an outside possibility against Williams (If we actually use a spy for the first time).
MooPack
January 09, 2026 at 05:13 pm
On Sorrell - "To these eyes, he looked like he had earned more snaps"
Yes he did. The eyes usually don't lie. I think he may be better than Oliver, although it's early. I think we've seen what Enagbare and LVN are. The former steady, but probably peaked. The later a 1st round disappointment. I'd like to see Cox get more reps as well. His pressure rate is pretty good. Unfortunately, the Packers will probably stick with Gary, Enagbare, and LVN the most. Personnel change and adjustment have never been their strong suite even when evidence proves otherwise.
egbertsouse
January 09, 2026 at 06:55 pm
Sorrell and Oliver will not see the field. LaFlower never plays rookies in big games. Golden will be lucky to get 2 targets.
dobber
January 09, 2026 at 07:14 pm
Evan Williams? Edgerrin Cooper? Javon Bullard--if you consider slot cover guy.
Year before: Tucker Kraft? Jayden Reed?
Belton's clearly going to start this year.
LeotisHarris
January 09, 2026 at 07:57 pm
2021 - Josh Myers, Isaiah McDuffie
2023 - Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Dontayvion Wicks, Carrington Valentine
Wicks had a TD catch against Dallas in the playoff slaughter in Arlington.
GregC
January 09, 2026 at 07:36 pm
Not mentioned here is the question of which DEs should be active on gameday. Here's the list of possibilities:
1.Rashan Gary
2.Lukas Van Ness
3. Kingsley Enagbare
4. Brenton Cox
5. Arron Mosby
6. Barryn Sorrell
7. Collin Oliver
It seems unlikely that any more than six would be active, and maybe only five. Should they take the drastic step of making Rashan Gary a game-day inactive so they can get another one of the young guys on the field? Probably not. Run defense is the defense's biggest problem, and Gary is still a pretty good run defender. Arron Mosby is an important special teams player who I think has been active for every game in recent weeks.
So even if they go six deep and squeeze Sorrell onto the game-day roster, Oliver will probably not be active.
dobber
January 09, 2026 at 08:04 pm
Last time they played the Bears, the Packers went with 6: Enagbare, Sorrell, Cox, Mosby, LVN, and Gary. Mosby is almost exclusively a ST player, and Enagbare, LVN, and Sorrell play STs. If I had to guess, they'll go with the same group, which leaves Oliver inactive.
GregC
January 09, 2026 at 08:50 pm
Thanks dobber, I should've looked that up myself. It will be interesting to see what they do with Oliver next year. I wonder if he could be a third LB on running downs and a rotational DE on passing downs.
Starrbrite
January 09, 2026 at 08:54 pm
I think the NFL’s requirements for an inactive list is absurd. Dress’em all and play them if needed.
dobber
January 10, 2026 at 06:23 am
Agreed.
Teams always have a de facto "inactive list"...it's called "not putting guys on the field." What does it matter if they're in uniform or not?
albert999
January 09, 2026 at 09:48 pm
Rashawn Gary total bust
He’s a waste of a spot I wouldn’t play him at all
He’s earned nothing
Snap the ball
January 10, 2026 at 12:08 am
Gary 2.5 sacks tomorrow
Snap the ball
January 10, 2026 at 12:08 am
Golden get 2 tds. Tomorrow
Snap the ball
January 10, 2026 at 12:10 am
LVN takes up blocks to get Gary home
Does the bears o line hold a bit and get away with it. And the center holds a lot.
Snap the ball
January 10, 2026 at 12:10 am
Oliver gets 2 sacks
Snap the ball
January 10, 2026 at 12:12 am
Packers are the better team. Fundamentals. Fundamentals. We will be fine .
HarryHodag
January 10, 2026 at 12:23 pm
"Experimenting" in a playoff game is a bit like Russian Roulette. The players will be in the rotation, but not many snaps.
SDPack
January 10, 2026 at 03:52 pm
The article over simplifies Hafley’s task. It is situational football - not so binary as this guy vs that guy. On 1st downs, you line up Gary and Van Ness. They are big edge setters and provide effectiveness against the run as well as some bull rush in passes. On 2nd downs, based on distance, you probably sub in Enagbare for Gary as he is also a good run defender and can also apply some pressure if it is a pass. Same with Cox. He replaces LVN. On 3rd downs, if it is a likely pass, you might go cheetah, move LVN and/or Gary inside and bring in Oliver and/or Sorrell for some speed rushing on the outside. But again, it is situational. Put in a guy when his skills are best utilized and keep them all fresh.