The Green Bay Packers’ defense won’t be winning any hearts anytime soon, but it mostly did an admirable job in limiting star Las Vegas Raiders players Josh Jacobs and old friend Davante Adams.
The unit still has a long way to go and will face better offenses in the coming weeks. And the big brain experiment of having Preston Smith cover Davante Adams isn’t the move. But there are some nice foundational pieces on the defense consistently putting up solid performances week after week.
One of the most pleasant surprises this season has been safety Rudy Ford, a late addition last season who has found a nice role for himself. The former 2017 draft pick made the most of his first year in Green Bay and keeps building on it in this young season. Ford has been a bright spot on this mediocre defense and is a potential building block moving forward.
Safety was the biggest concern for the Packers heading into this season, and the team didn’t really do much to address it. It’s a bad idea to force a draft pick for positional need, and the board fell in a different way. Thanks to the Aaron Rodgers‘ contract and some other big deals, it was going to be hard for them to land a big-name free agent.
Green Bay made some small moves, like signing Jonathan Owens and drafting Anthony Johnson Jr. They rotated players trying to find the best alignment before settling on Darnell Savage and Ford, who played well in spots in 2022.
In his stints with the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles, Ford was predominantly a special teams player. He took on a bigger defensive role with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. He played 423 defensive snaps while maintaining a big role on special teams, but they released him in final cuts.
Green Bay picked up Ford on August 31, and it looked like he would be an option for new special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. But as the season went on, Ford saw a bigger role on defense as injuries wracked up, starting in six games.
After intercepting only one ball in the first five seasons of his career, Ford became a bit of a ballhawk for the Packers, bringing in three in the back half of 2022. Two of those came against the Dallas Cowboys in a game that galvanized the struggling Packers.
Ford has built off of that experience and put together a solid 2023 reel.
In back-to-back weeks over the Detroit Lions and Las Vegas, Ford had savvy interceptions leading to points for Green Bay. His pick of Jared Goff led to a field goal before the Packers would plummet in that game. His pick of Jimmy Garoppolo looked meant for him, and the subsequent touchdown drive was Green Bay’s lone touchdown of the night. Ford is using his instincts and football intelligence to create opportunities for the struggling Packer offense. His two interceptions lead the team.
And it isn’t just the occasional splash play elevating Ford’s name. Ford has one of the better run-stoppers for the Green Bay defense, something the team isn’t exactly flush with. PFF credited Ford with 18 tackles against the run and 16 “stops,” leading defensive backs around the league. He has an impressive 37 tackles with only two misses, and his 73.7 PFF score is good for 17th around the league.
Finally, while it’s an impossible metric to define, Ford plays with a fire and intensity the rest of his peers often seem to lack. He plays with full effort on every play and never slows down when the chips are down.
The former Auburn Tiger isn’t perfect. While his interception against Jimmy G led to the Packers scoring, Ford also gave up a touchdown. He can get beat in some spots and has had his share of rough moments. But he’s got good instincts, is a willing run defender, and plays where he needs to be. That’s a great second safety, and it’s a role Ford could keep if he continues to build on his solid performances.
The Packers have invested a lot of draft capital into their defense, so it’s not always easy for an “outsider” to find a starting role. For a player like Ford to come in days before Week 1 and take advantage of every opportunity given to him and eventually become an impact starter is impressive. It speaks to Ford’s work ethic and willingness to do the dirty work in the run game.
Safety will once again be an area of need for Green Bay in 2024. Darnell Savage’s fifth-year option will end, and we aren’t sure what the team will do next. Ford’s own modest one-year, $2.5 million contract will expire.
The Packers still need a long-term investment at the position, especially with Ford turning 29 this season. But another short-term deal would be ideal for Green Bay, who would have a reliable No. 2 to support their investment and help bridge the gap.
Green Bay will face some stinky offenses in the next few weeks, but that doesn’t mean an easy victory, as we saw against the Raiders. The defense needs to play better as a unit and in high-pressure situations. But having a player like Rudy Ford who plays with full intensity on every play is an excellent foundation for a defense still finding its way.
