Back in 2023, the Green Bay Packers signed Corey Ballentine to replenish a cornerback room that was depleted by injuries. Ballentine offered immediate help and went on to spend two seasons in Titletown. He was trending toward making it three but was given the boot just before the start of the 2025 regular season.
Fortunately for Ballentine, he didn't stay unemployed for long, signing with the Dallas Cowboys not long after leaving Green Bay. Even better, he re-signed with Big D early in 2026. However, the veteran cornerback eventually became the victim of the numbers game and was released in July.
But if Ballentine has proven anything throughout his career, it's that he's resilient. Heck, you have to be tough if you've suited up for several teams and lasted seven seasons in the NFL. The Jacksonville Jaguars certainly like what he brings to the table and just gave him a shot to show that he can contribute.
The Jaguars have signed former Packers corner Corey Ballentine
On the eve of Jaguars training camp, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Jacksonville signed Ballentine and placed Dane Jackson on the Retired/Reserve list as a corresponding move.
Ballentine will have a legitimate shot to compete for a roster spot but will have his work cut out. Four slots are virtually earmarked for Travis Hunter, Jarrian Jones, Jourdan Lewis, and Montaric Brown. That potentially leaves one job up for grabs. Sophomore Jabbar Muhammad and fourth-year pro Christian Braswell will compete for it, unless the Jags carry six cornerbacks.
If that's the case, both Muhammad and Braswell could make the cut. Ballentine will need to outperform both of them to have a shot. He'll also need to show that he can contribute on special teams. That may be his best path to make the team.
Balletine hasn't played more than 100 defensive snaps each of the past two seasons but has seen ample playing time on special teams. With the Cowboys, he logged 23 snaps on defense and 47 on special teams.
Ballentine has also spent time with the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Baltimore Ravens since the New York Giants made him a sixth-round pick in 2019.
Corey Ballentine delivered when the Packers needed him
Ballentine is a career backup, but that's not necessarily a bad thing when you take into account that he's managed to play seven seasons, while the career average for an NFL player is less than three years. Sure, he's far from a Pro Bowl cornerback, but every team also needs depth and special teams contributors. He fills both roles well.
What stands out about Ballentine's stint with the Packers is that he played a career-high 488 defensive snaps for them in 2023. It's also worth noting that Green Bay let him walk in 2025 only to re-sign him (and later cut him) the same year.
Looking back, Ballentine came through when the Packers needed him the most. But they've since moved on and have put together a pretty good cornerback group. The silver lining is that he'll get to continue his NFL career with the Jags.
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