Packers 2022 free agency profile: Re-sign Rasul Douglas?
Rasul Douglas was a huge in-season addition for the Green Bay Packers in 2021, helping the secondary continue to play at a high level even without Jaire Alexander.
But the time has come for the Packers, and Douglas, to make a decision on the future.
Douglas is a free agent this offseason. Will he remain in Green Bay or land a big contract elsewhere after such an impressive year?
Why the Packers re-sign Rasul Douglas
Douglas has said he would like to return to Green Bay. And why not? Douglas was with three teams in 2021 before the Packers signed him from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. In Green Bay, he found a situation that suited him and he was outstanding.
Rasul Douglas says all it’ll take for him to be back with the Packers in free agency is for them to ask him to return.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 24, 2022
Won’t it take a little more money than he made this season, though?
Douglas: “Probably a little bit more. Nothing crazy.”
From Green Bay’s perspective, how could you not want Douglas back after the season he had?
Not only was he excellent in coverage — quarterbacks completed just 50% of passes with a passer rating of 44.5 in his coverage, per Pro Football Reference — but he also made game-changing plays with five interceptions.
Not just the number of interceptions, but also the timing of those plays. His first turned a potential defeat into a victory in the final seconds to end the Cardinals’ undefeated start. He made two picks on Christmas Day versus the Cleveland Browns, the second a game-winner. Douglas also had pick-sixes in consecutive weeks against the NFC-champion Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears.
Douglas helped when Alexander was injured. Now imagine the two together with second-year Eric Stokes in 2022.
Why the Packers don’t re-sign Rasul Douglas
After a great year in Green Bay, it’s possible the team will struggle to afford to pay Douglas. Another team might make an offer that’s too good.
There is also some risk to signing Douglas long-term. While his 2021 season was a great one in Green Bay, why did the Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, and Cardinals all let him go last year?
The Packers have an All-Pro in Alexander and a potential rising star in Stokes to play on the outside.
And with other free agents like Davante Adams and De’Vondre Campbell to pay, it’s possible the Packers don’t re-sign Douglas.