The Green Bay Packers needed every bit of help in the secondary that they could get in 2024. Jaire Alexander, of course, missed 10 games for the second season in a row with various injuries, most notably a torn PCL that kept him out the second half of the season. But there were other injuries to the Packers’ defensive backs too.
Evan Williams missed time with a quad injury and missed four games total. Javon Bullard dealt with an ankle injury that also caused him to miss some time.
With all of these ailments affecting the secondary, the Packers needed production from other players deep down on their roster, and they got it from safety Zayne Anderson, in particular.
Green Bay Packers Safety Zayne Anderson Became a Fan-Favorite in 2024
Anderson entered the NFL in 2021 as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he was not used often by Kansas City, appearing in just seven games over two years. In 2023, he signed with the Packers.
Used mainly on special teams, Anderson did not hear his name called often by NFL broadcasters. When reports of his stellar play came out of training camp in 2024, many fans joked that he must not be a real person as there were no photos of him on the team website.
He quickly proved that he is, in fact, real.
Anderson only played 123 defensive snaps in 2024, but he made the most of them. The young safety had his first career interception in the Packers’ shutout victory over the New Orleans Saints last season.
The Green Bay Packers Decided to Tender Zayne Anderson
On Wednesday, it was reported that the Packers decided to tender Anderson. While this does not guarantee his return to the team in 2025, it does make him an exclusive rights free agent, meaning that Green Bay is the only team that can negotiate with him. All Green Bay needs to do is make him a qualifying offer (a one-year contract at the league minimum salary). Anderson can either take that offer or not play in the NFL at all for a year.
Packers fans were thrilled with Green Bay’s decision:
Finally beat the not a real person allegations https://t.co/VFT10ZiSLp
— CheeseheadTV 🧀 (@cheeseheadtv) March 5, 2025
Was always a no brainer with it being an ERFA but I guess semi noteworthy nonetheless. https://t.co/y1Lpe22bKY
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) March 5, 2025
All Time Favorite Packer!!!! #39 https://t.co/HPVd3wbdPt
— The Kid 88 (@Joel_Midgett88) March 5, 2025
I want to remind everyone, I manifested that interception https://t.co/6JHgnXkBmc pic.twitter.com/8ljLWOFA7o
— Michael Allen 🧀 (@MichaelAllenNFL) March 5, 2025
He was solid last season when his number was called https://t.co/ZwuaL7FdnC
— 🧀 Chris 🧀 (@SeeColes) March 5, 2025
While Anderson likely will not see much playing time on defense again, he is still a great asset on special teams, on which he played 62% of the snaps. This decision today is just the first step in bringing him back.
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