The Green Bay Packers have finally signed a veteran cornerback, and it's a move that made far too much sense. Just days after the Indianapolis Colts handed them a gift by releasing Corey Ballentine, the Packers are bringing him home.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, the Packers are re-signing Ballentine, who they lost to the Colts in free agency only 143 days earlier.
Green Bay let Ballentine walk in the spring but failed to find adequate depth at cornerback. His return solves that conundrum, as he slots immediately into the CB4 spot. Ballentine is an experienced backup, knows the system, and provides the depth the secondary desperately needed.
Packers undo their free agency error by re-signing cornerback Corey Ballentine
The Packers allowed Ballentine, Eric Stokes, and Robert Rochell to depart in free agency and later released Jaire Alexander. They signed Nate Hobbs to take one starting position, but seventh-round Micah Robinson was the only other notable addition (unless we include Bo Melton's switch from wide receiver to cornerback).
Ballentine offers experience, having featured in 69 NFL games, including 11 starts. He started a career-high six games for the Packers in 2023, admirably filling in after injuries hit the secondary.
That's the role he will resume this season. Ballentine should immediately take the CB4 job, where he can cover either boundary spot in the event of an injury. He was also a core special teams player for the Packers, making his return even more beneficial.
Melton has impressed since moving from receiver to cornerback, but he needs time to adjust without the pressures of being an injury or two away from starting. Ballentine's return shouldn't hurt Melton's chances of making the 53-man roster too much, although it will impact players on the roster bubble.
It made far too much sense not to happen. Ballentine is a solid rotational player who already knows the system. His return comes at a perfect time, allowing the Packers to undo a free agency error from five months ago.