Packers: Chandon Sullivan officially back for 2021 season
As expected, slot cornerback Chandon Sullivan will be back with the Green Bay Packers in 2021.
A restricted free agent, the Packers decided to bring him back this offseason, keeping their cornerback room mostly intact from last season.
Sullivan tweeted about re-signing with the Packers, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed it.
Tender officially signed. https://t.co/2t5C0K64gy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2021
It’s a low-risk move and it makes a lot of sense for the Packers. Sullivan didn’t have his best game in the NFC Championship loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but overall, he had a solid season. It was his first year taking on a bigger role following Tramon Williams’ departure.
According to Pro Football Reference, Sullivan’s defensive snap counts jumped up from 34 percent in 2020 to 71 percent this past season. After having only ever started one game in his career prior to last season, he started 10 in 2020.
Sullivan finished the year with six pass defenses and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown in the Week 2 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Sullivan needed to step up last year with Williams gone and he had a good season.
It doesn’t mean Green Bay won’t look to find an upgrade at the slot cornerback position this offseason. According to Spotrac, Sullivan’s cap hit for this upcoming season is just $2.13 million. As he was a restricted free agent this offseason, Sullivan will become an unrestricted free agent next year, which means he’ll be free to sign with any other team when the new league year begins, unless he decides to re-sign.
Along with bringing back Sullivan, Green Bay has also re-signed starting corner Kevin King to a one-year deal. That ensures the team’s top three cornerbacks from last season will all be back in 2021.
Despite that, cornerback should still remain one of the Green Bay Packers’ top priorities entering the NFL Draft, which begins next Thursday.