Green Bay Packers Sign Former No. 8 Pick Isaiah Simmons
The Green Bay Packers have added another piece of their defensive jigsaw puzzle, officially signing Linebacker Isaiah Simmons, reports FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Simmons visited Green Bay last month and is joining a team that quietly had to shore up its linebacker unit with Eric Wilson’s departure. The signing adds an athletic, dynamic defender to Jeff Hafley’s rebuilt 4-3 scheme as the Packers build for the 2025 campaign.
Simmons Signs With Packers After Mysterious Twitter Hint
Simmons, 26, comes to Green Bay with great mystery. A former eighth-overall draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft, Simmons was an All-American linebacker at Clemson. He won the Butkus Award as the best linebacker in the country. After four years with Arizona, he was traded to the New York Giants for a 2024 seventh-round pick. He played all 17 games last season and contributed 21 tackles and one forced fumble. With his one-year deal in New York expiring, Simmons was shopping in free agency, and Green Bay wasn’t afraid to make their pitch.
Coincidentally, Packers fans picked up on a clue before the signing was announced. Simmons tweeted a “mousetrap” emoji on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after his trip to Green Bay, immediately fueling speculation. To Packers fans, it appeared suspiciously like a wedge of cheese — a cherished icon for the team’s devoted fan base. As it turns out, Simmons was trolling the move, putting a little bit of humor into his free agency process and winning over a fanbase that loves a good clue chase.
How Simmons Fits Into the Defense
With Hafley installing a 4-3 defense, Green Bay needed more linebacker depth after losing Wilson and just taking Oklahoma State’s Collin Oliver late in the draft. Simmons has special versatility, having played linebacker, safety, and even slot corner occasionally during his NFL career. That versatility may prove to be key, especially in Hafley’s scheme, which values speed and flexibility in all three defensive levels.
While Simmons will not start right away, he offers a good insurance policy to go along with a high-ceiling rotational pass-rusher and LB who can play defense and special teams. Simmons has notched 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, and 9 forced fumbles through five NFL seasons and has shown a knack for making splash plays. With the Packers seeking to build a faster, more aggressive defense, Simmons’ athleticism and playmaking skills can potentially be a hidden asset.
Final Thoughts
The Packers made the smart, low-risk move in signing Simmons. His athleticism, experience, and versatility are all a perfect match for the new defensive vision. He adds some personality to the locker room — something Packers fans were attached to. If Simmons can develop his consistency game in Green Bay, this could be one of the best offseason signings.
