Packers: Kevin King has shined since return from injury

Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King has been criticized for the better part of a year. The criticism stems from his shaky play during the 2020 season and giving up big time catches in the NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. Fans have felt like King was a liability playing in any type of coverage.

Although King has had his fair share of criticism from the fans, the Packers have stood behind him, re-signing him in the 2020 offseason.

This season, King has something to prove and is playing with a chip on his shoulder. With the first-round pick of Eric Stokes, King was welcoming of the rookie, stating:

"“But I know what type of player I am. I know what type of player I can be. Just try to get better every day and try to help him get better. Look, if he can beat me out on that field, then they drafted the right guy.” – Kevin King to Sports Illustrated in August."

King started the season but eventually was sidelined for three weeks with a shoulder injury he sustained against the Cincinnati Bengals, but has slowly started to come back to play, starting his first game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Against the Chiefs, the fifth-year cornerback allowed only 21 yards on three catches. King played well and almost nabbed an interception, but dropped it at the last second.

In Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, King had his best game in years, even getting his first interception since his a five-interception season in 2019. His cornerback play was integral in shutting out Russell Wilson. On routes where King would normally get beat, he looked phenomenal, staying on receivers and not allowing any big plays.

With Jaire Alexander being out for an uncertain amount of time, King has taken the reins of being cornerback number one for the Packers’ secondary (although they tend to rotate corners). The veteran cornerback has been playing well, which allows for the entire secondary to play even better.

The defense this season looks phenomenal and reminds me of the 2010 Packers’ defense that helped bring the Lombardi Trophy back home. If King continues playing at the level he has been, he could be in the running for Comeback Player of the Year, but that is only if he contributes like he has been these past two weeks.

The future looks promising for Kevin King, as long as he keeps doing what he has been doing for these past couple weeks. With Jaire coming back soon, the Packers could have one of the best secondaries in football.