Packers: New signing Bashaud Breeland adds depth at cornerback
By Ojas Kalia
New signing Bashaud Breeland adds depth at cornerback for the Green Bay Packers.
The Green Bay Packers signed cornerback Bashaud Breeland on Tuesday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
The signing comes in wake of the news that Davon House would be placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, which was also reported by Demovsky. Demovsky noted that he is expected to have season-ending surgery following the injury.
Breeland had originally signed with the Carolina Panthers to a three-year, $24 million contract. However, the contract was nullified after Breeland failed his physical, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Breeland talked with several teams over the offseason and regular season, but a contract was never reached.
Due to the injury, it is likely that the contract Breeland will put his pen to will look very different from the contract he saw with Panthers.
The Packers will sign a player who will be great addition to the young cornerback corps featuring rookies Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson.
He has flashed tremendous skill in his four seasons with the Washington Redskins. Last year, Breeland made 50 tackles, and also had 19 defended passes and one interception.
Breeland’s signing patches up just one of the holes in the Packers’ defense. Injuries have been an issue for the team, causing key players such as Muhammad Wilkerson, Jake Ryan, Josh Jones, Bryan Buluga and Justin McCray to be declared as questionable to return, or even out for the whole season.
As a result, even the smallest moves to improve the defense can make the largest difference at this point, especially as we wait to see a player truly step up to take responsibility for what the Packers can’t seem to find on defense: a leader.
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This signing has made many Packers fans discuss the possibility of signing free agent safety Eric Reid, or even trading for All-Pro Earl Thomas to solidify the defense. It will be interesting to see what Packers GM Brian Gutekunst does from here.