The Green Bay Packers, in need of cornerback help, will host free agent Asante Samuel Jr. for a workout on Thursday.
They face competition from a handful of teams, including the Carolina Panthers, who had the first opportunity to meet with Samuel on Wednesday. But among the interested teams, it's the Packers who have the most to offer.
Not only do the Packers boast an NFC North-best 5-2-1 record with legitimate Super Bowl potential, but they also have a clear opening in the starting lineup. Samuel could instantly become the Packers' best boundary corner.
Chargers writer Jason Reed, who covers the team for Bolt Beat, believes the Packers are the clear favorites to land the free-agent cornerback.
"The Packers are the obvious frontrunners for Samuel. Green Bay is such a good fit for Samuel that it's surprising he is even taking meetings with other teams," writes Reed.
Asante Samuel's connection to Packers' Derrick Ansley could help seal the deal
As Reed points out, it's not just the opportunity to win in Green Bay that will appeal to Samuel, but also a chance to reunite with passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley.
"Ansley is the passing game coordinator for the Packers, giving Samuel a very familiar face to play under in Green Bay," Reed adds. "Ansley was the defensive backs coach in Los Angeles when Samuel was drafted in 2021. He served in that role for two seasons before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2023. He left the team in 2024 when Jim Harbaugh was hired as head coach."
It wouldn't be the first time Ansley helped the Packers land a free agent. His role in Green Bay stood out to Xavier McKinney before he signed as a free agent in 2024. McKinney said the chance to reunite with Ansley "sparked interest."
The Packers will hope Samuel feels the same way.
A crucial aspect of his workout is the medical information. Samuel has played only four games since the start of the 2024 season and required spinal fusion surgery in the offseason. But he is cleared to play, and there's no doubting the impact he could make in Green Bay.
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While his tackling is a concern, his ability as a cover corner is undeniable. Samuel has inside/outside flexibility, but it's on the boundary where he could find a home in Jeff Hafley's defense.
The Packers' defensive backs, barring McKinney, have struggled to get their hands to the ball this season, which could explain the surprising lack of takeaways. Samuel would help fix that — he had double-digit pass defenses in all three seasons before 2024, a combined 35 with six interceptions.
Green Bay faces competition, and it could potentially become a bidding war. But as Reed points out, the Packers not only have an advantage in terms of playoff potential and the opportunity in the secondary, but the chance to reunite with Ansley could seal it.