The Packers cut some dead weight this off season including the trade of Rashan Gary. Gary never really returned to form after injury, and saw a serious drop off in production last season after Micah Parsons went down with a torn ACL. The Packers also lost Kingsley Enagbare in free agency, bringing about one simple question.
Who is going to get after the quarterback opposite Parsons in 2026?
The most logical answer here is Lukas Van Ness, who definintely saw more consistent production towards the end of last season.
I would bet however (especially with Parsons missing the first 3 to 4 games) that the hype inside the tent will quickly spread to the masses after some more reps from DL Barryn Sorrell. I have been watching this guy closely over the last season, and I believe he is the next developmental player to have a breakout year.
Barryn Sorrell College Years
Barryn Sorrell emerged as a steady force for the Texas Longhorns, putting together a productive college career. Across his final two seasons in Austin, Sorrell totaled roughly 80+ tackles, including 15 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks. Sorrell has the versatility to effect both the run and pass game. In 2023, he delivered one of his most complete seasons, finishing with 44 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks while helping anchor a physical Texas defensive front. His combination of length, discipline setting the edge, and developing pass-rush toolkit made him an intriguing projection to the next level, even if he wasn’t viewed as a finished product coming out.
Here’s some highlights of Sorrell as a Longhorn.
A Strong 2025 Debut
Given the roster Sorrell walked into including Enagbare, Gary, and Parsons, the opportunities to hit the field seemed limited at best. Sorrell arrived in Green Bay alongside his Texas teammate Matthew Golden, who is also primed for a strong sophmore year with the Packers.
The important thing is, when the opportunities came, Sorrell showed up.
While his stat sheet will look middle of the road, it’s the consistency and increase in his snap count that you should pay attention to. His pass rush win-rate improved significantly, he showed a major step up in defending the run, and clearly gained the trust of his teammates and the coaching staff.
Packers C Sean Rhyan who worked against Sorrell on the scout team had this to say about the rookie last season.
“He’s got that juice to him, man, he’s got that juice, he’s got drive, and he’s going to get after that ball. Nothing bad to say about him. He works hard, comes in and does his job, not too rah-rah. Couple times, practice is practice, so we’ve got to tell him (to settle down). But he’s got juice. (Shoot), never going to not want that.”
Sorrell made his presence known each time he made his way onto the field. With the injuries the Packers faced, he was handed a golden opportunity to showcase his talent and he did not disappoint.
Here’s a great breakdown by the legend Larry McCarren looking at Sorrell’s biggest breakout game last season when he made his first career start against the Vikings.
Sorrell & Parsons Working Together
That progress has carried into the offseason, where Sorrell’s name has quietly gained traction inside the building. He’s added strength without sacrificing burst and has been working extensively on his hand usage and pass-rush sequencing. Notably, he’s spent time training with Micah Parsons (pictured above), one of the league’s most dominant and technically refined pass rushers, focusing on counters, bend, and closing speed.
Those sessions, combined with a full offseason in an NFL strength program, and a clearer understanding of defensive schemes, have positioned Sorrell for a much larger role. With Green Bay looking for consistent pressure opposite its top rushers, the opportunity is there, and if his trajectory holds, Sorrell won’t just be part of the rotation. He could become one of the defense’s most important pieces in 2026. Here”s Sorrell training with another talent to keep an eye on in DL Collin Oliver. Oliver was hurt for most of the 2025 season, however his nickname of “Baby Micah” got many folks attention.
Here’s the pair alongside DL Karl Brooks working out with Micah’s personal trainer Lance Dean.
I hope this article gives some comfort to those in Packer nation wondering how we are going to get pressure on the quarterback this year in weeks 1-4 without Parsons, especially when switching to a 3-4 base.
We have the talent in the building. If Gannon can put them in the right position, this should be a dominant defensive line in 2026. Sorrell looks to be a big piece of that puzzle.
