The Green Bay Packers are going to look a lot different in 2023. The most notable change will be at quarterback as Aaron Rodgers was officially traded to the New York Jets. One aspect of the 2022 team not being as successful as many hoped was the defense. Going into the season, many predicted the Green Bay Packers to have a top-five defensive unit. After a sub-par start to the season, the defense finished middle of the pack in most defensive rankings. One former Green Bay Packers cornerback was recently released that could help in 2023.
Green Bay Packers Fans React To Cornerback Casey Hayward Being Released
According to Aaliyan Mohammed of Wisconsin Sports Heroics:
Casey Hayward was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons in Green Bay and played in 51 games, starting 20 of them. He recorded nine interceptions, 34 passes defended and a touchdown as a Packer. He was not re-signed by the team in free agency and signed with the Chargers.
Casey Hayward spent five years as a Charger and established himself as one of the best corners in the league. He was a Second Team All-Pro twice and was selected for two Pro Bowls. In 75 starts for the Chargers, he recorded 14 interceptions, 66 passes defended and a touchdown. He would spend a year with the Las Vegas Raiders, starting every game, and a year with the Falcons, where he only appeared in 6 games.
Casey Hayward, much like Micah Hyde, has often been labeled as “one that got away” from the Green Bay Packers. The veteran cornerback is now looking for a home for what will be his age-34 season. What better place to potentially have his last dance than the team who drafted him?
Should the Green Bay Packers consider adding Casey Hayward with the intention of being him a critically important member of the defense? No. But depth at cornerback is always something teams need. Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Eric Stokes will presumably be the top three starting cornerbacks for the Packers. However, Rasul Douglas could be spending more time at safety in 2023. That could open the door for more playing time for a veteran cornerback who knows the system. When Packers fans saw that he was released, they took to social media:
Bring Casey Hayward Jr back?
— Packers Table Talk (@PackersTablTalk) April 21, 2023
@Basaraski Any chance the Packers would consider picking up Casey Hayward and moving him to safety???
— Eric Clifford (@iPaYnEKiLLai) April 21, 2023
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @mcquadewarnold, follow us @WiSportsHeroics, and listen to our Podcast, The Cheese Dads NOW with Legendary DT Gilbert Brown! You can also reach out to McQuade Arnold via email at mcquadewarnold@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here!
