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Greatest free agent signings in Packers history: No. 3

By Josh Gerhardt

27 Jan 1997: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Desmond Howard expresses his joy for the Super Bowl XXXI victory at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
27 Jan 1997: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Desmond Howard expresses his joy for the Super Bowl XXXI victory at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /
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At No. 3 in our greatest Green Bay Packers free agents countdown is Desmond Howard.

This is part three of a five-part retrospective by Michael Seney and I, as we look back on the greatest free agent signings in Green Bay Packers history.

At No. 3 is Desmond Howard.

3. Desmond Howard, Wide receiver/Kick returner

Before Green Bay

Howard was drafted fourth overall in the 1992 draft by the Redskins. Ironically, it was the Packers that wanted to draft him but Washington knew this and traded up to select ahead of Green Bay.

4 Jan 1997: Wide receiver Desmond Howard of the Green Bay Packers moves the ball during a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game, 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
4 Jan 1997: Wide receiver Desmond Howard of the Green Bay Packers moves the ball during a playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won the game, 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /

Washington really didn’t need a WR but saw great potential in Howard for his return skills. Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs remarked of Howard: “This guy doesn’t have any flaws. We’re excited.”

He spent three seasons with Washington before getting picked up by the newly-formed Jacksonville Jaguars in the expansion draft. The Jaguars signed Howard to a one-year contract in 1995, planning to use him as a wide receiver and on special teams. Howard struggled, however, sustaining a sprained ankle and a concussion and turning in only one touchdown with 26 pass receptions for 276 yards.

Jacksonville released him at season’s end.

Suiting up in Green & Gold

In the spring and summer of 1996, Howard was invited to the Packers training camp with no guarantee of a contract.

They liked what they saw in camp and signed Howard to a one-year contract for $300,000, just slightly more than league minimum pay at the time.

More from Lombardi Ave

In 1996 the Packers were a force and Howard was a key part of that. He led the NFL in punt returns (58), punt return yards (875), punt return average (15.1) and punt return touchdowns (3), while gaining 460 kickoff return yards and catching 13 passes for 95 yards. His 875 punt return yards set an NFL record.

Green Bay dominated the NFC, going 13-3 and clinching home-field advantage. In the NFC divisional playoffs, Howard returned a punt for a TD. The Packers made it to Super Bowl XXXI. The game was a great one, and a fairly close one. Late in the third quarter, the Patriots pulled within six points and seemed to have momentum. But all that changed when Howard stepped on to the field to take the kickoff.

Howard won Super Bowl MVP and was a hero in Green Bay, helping them win their third Super Bowl.

Howard was not re-signed the following year. He spent 1997 and 1998 with the Raiders. In 1999 he rejoined the Packers, but was cut due to bad play and injury. He finished his  career with Detroit.

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

Howard’s legacy in Green Bay is huge despite his short time there. His efforts during that 1996 season were key to getting to the Super Bowl. Howard will always be known as a champion and his legacy will live on in Packers News.

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