Handing out the Green Bay Packers midseason awards

Most Improved Player: Rudy Ford

Rudy Ford appeared in all 17 games in 2023, starting only six games behind Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos. In 2023, he claimed a starting spot after Amos departed to the New York Jets in free agency, and he's not looked back.

The Packers entered the season with the safety position being the most significant question mark on the team, needing someone to take a substantial leap forward. Ford has been that player.

He's started all eight games he's appeared in, marking a new career high in starts. Through Week 10, Ford's 52.9 passer rating allowed when targeted ranks third among all qualified safeties. Then, in Week 10 against Pittsburgh, he tallied a season-high 10 tackles.

"He's just doing his job," said Packers safety coach Ryan Downard. "He's doing it at a high level. He's playing hard; when you turn that tape on, you see how hard he plays. He's very intentional with his preparation, and he's finally gotten the opportunity to show what he can, and he's capitalizing on it."

After being a special teams player for most of his career, Ford is making the most of his first opportunity as a full-time starter, coming in year seven.

Through only eight games, he's already posted a career-high in tackles (58) and is on pace to surpass his three interceptions from last season, already at two in 2023. His 72.4 PFF grade leads all Packers safeties, and he's been pivotal in the Packers' defense that's allowing the seventh-fewest passing yards per game (187.6).

Runner up: Isaiah McDuffie