This offseason, the Green Bay Packers continued to usher in a new era. The Packers made the difficult decision to release Aaron Jones (29) and David Bakhtiari (32) while also signing Josh Jacobs (26) and Xavier McKinney (24).
While the influx of youngsters into this club bodes well for the future, Brian Gutekunst has stated that he is open to bringing in seasoned veterans. As it turns out, one veteran could do wonders for the Packers defense.
The Green Bay Packers have continued to usher in a new era this off-season. The Packers made the tough decisions to move on from Aaron Jones (29) and David Bakhtiari (32) while also bringing in Josh Jacobs (26) and Xavier McKinney (24).
While the incredible amount of youth being injected into this team provides for an exciting future, Brian Gutekunst made it clear that he would be open to bringing in experienced veterans. As it turns out, there is one veteran who could do wonders for this Packers defense.
The Green Bay Packers are strongly linked to a top defensive free agent.
Packers are listed as a potential possibility for free agency safety. Justin Simmons
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon identified the top landing locations for the best remaining free agents. He selected the Packers as a potential fit for Simmons.
“Simmons may land a lucrative contract. But if that offer does not come, the Green Bay Packers would be an appealing choice, even with the arrival of Xavier McKinney,” says Kenyon.
A starting combination of Simmons and McKinney would give the Packers a huge upgrade on what they’ve had in recent years. They could take the secondary to another level alongside Jaire Alexander.
Simmons can play as the single-high safety or in the box, offering the versatility to help the Packers across the secondary.
The Packers need to force more turnovers, having only intercepted seven passes last season, the second-lowest total in the league. Simmons can help—he has made at least three interceptions for six consecutive seasons, including five in 2020, five in 2021, and six in 2022. Last year, Simmons defended eight passes with three interceptions.
Bringing in Justin Simmons would be huge for this defense.
The Packers might entirely overhaul the Safety position by acquiring another standout. It would be similar to what the Packers did in 2019 when they added Za’Darius Smith and Preson Smith during the same offseason.
The Packers lost Darnell Savage (Jaguars) and Jonathan Owens (Bears) to free agency. If they don’t sign another safety in free agency, they will most likely find one in the 2024 NFL Draft.
There are only three other safeties on the roster other than McKinney: Zayne Anderson, Benny Sapp, and Anthony Johnson. If Anderson is on the roster, he will contribute to the special teams, as will Sapp. In their roster-building strategy, the Packers won’t be putting all their eggs in Johnson’s development basket.
Even with McKinney, there is still plenty of work to do at the Safety position. Simmons could be the answer for a few seasons (at least).
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