The Green Bay Packers have a cornerback problem. We all know that.
We knew it in March. We knew it in June after the Packers released Jaire Alexander. We know it now, and more than ever. The revamped pass rush masked those concerns during the opening three weeks of the season, but the Dallas Cowboys provided a sobering reminder of just how problematic the secondary can become.
Importantly, it seems like the Packers also understand, and they are eyeing a move to help. According to Easton Butler of Packer Report, the Packers have called to check on free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. about his recovery from a neck injury.
Packers reportedly showing interest in signing free-agent CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Samuel remains a free agent, having undergone neck surgery in April. Last month, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Samuel had a CT scan booked for October with hopes of joining a team for the remainder of the season.
Fowler noted that "several" teams had "kept in touch." And it would seem the Packers are among them, based on Butler's reporting.
Samuel is a proven NFL starter and would undoubtedly become the Packers' best cover corner. The 2021 second-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he made 37 pass defenses and six interceptions. However, a shoulder injury limited him to only four games last season.
According to PFF, in Samuel's past two healthy seasons (2022 and 2023), he allowed a combined 111 catches on 185 attempts (60 percent) for 1,452 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, a passer rating of just 88.8.
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As a pure cover corner, Samuel would upgrade the Packers' secondary. He could start alongside Keisean Nixon and offer more ball skills than we've seen from this secondary in the opening four weeks. Their lack of turnovers is concerning.
Here's where defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley may hesitate: Samuel's tackling.
It has been an issue throughout his career, with the veteran missing 36 tackles in his first three seasons, including 14 in 2023, per PFF's count. That can't happen.
The Packers put on an embarrassing tackling display against the Cowboys, and we saw what happened. Hafley needs sound tackling for his heavy zone-coverage system to operate at a high level.
But the Packers need cornerback help, and they don't have many options. If Samuel is healthy and cleared to play, he could undoubtedly give them an upgrade in the secondary.