Green Bay Packers fans became investigative journalists after Isaiah Simmons posted a cryptic tweet after the NFL Draft.
Simmons posted a mousetrap emoji, which looks nothing like a mousetrap and more like cheese inside a box. That cheese caught Packers fans' attention. And they were right.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Packers are signing Simmons to a one-year deal. They hosted him for a visit before the draft.
It's the perfect post-draft encore — a low-risk, high-upside move that gives Jeff Hafley the additional linebacker depth he needed. The Packers did little to address the position during the draft, which may have prompted them to make the move.
Simmons, the eighth-overall pick only five years ago, adds versatility to the Packers' defense. He has experience at linebacker and safety, although the former is his clearest path to snaps in Green Bay.
Packers make a smart post-draft move to sign free agent Isaiah Simmons
Despite his premium draft tag, Simmons isn't a game-changing signing, but it's still a smart move. Hafley needs quality linebackers to rotate in his 4-3 system, and Simmons provides experience.
He spent the first three seasons of his NFL career playing linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals. He made 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and seven pass defenses in that time.
Hafley could use him in coverage or to blitz.
His experience at safety is an added bonus. Hafley loves to give the illusion of complexity in the secondary with his disguised coverages. He prioritizes versatility, and Simmons provides another option.
He joins a linebacker room featuring rising star Edgerrin Cooper and former first-rounder Quay Walker. Simmons will compete with Isaiah McDuffie, 2024 third-rounder Ty'Ron Hopper, and rookie Collin Oliver, although Oliver will likely spend most of his time on the edge.
It's a win-win. Simmons offers plenty of value on defense and special teams, but it's a low-risk move. The Packers continue to improve even after the draft.