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 Widely Linked To Star Defensive Free Agent
According to Freddie Boston of Fansided:
Packers listed as potential fit for free-agent safety Justin Simmons
Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon named the top landing spots for the best remaining free agents. He chose the Packers as a potential fit for Simmons.
“Simmons may attract a high-dollar contract. But if that offer does not arrive, the Green Bay Packers would be a compelling option, even after the addition of Xavier McKinney,” writes 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.
Simmons has earned second-team All-Pro honors three years in a row and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second time last season.
Bringing In Justin Simmons Would Be Huge For This Defense
The Packers could completely revamp the Safety position by adding one more playmaker. It would be similar to what the Packers did in 2019 when they signed both Za’Darius Smith and Preson Smith in the same off-season.
The Packers lost both Darnell Savage (Jaguars) and Jonathan Owens (Bears) in free agency. If they don’t target another Safety in free agency, they will likely get 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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