The regular season is officially behind us, and we are just a few short days away from the annual NFL postseason tournament.
Unfortunately, the Green Bay Packers find themselves limping into the playoffs after back-to-back losses to division rivals and an underwhelming performance against the 5-12 Chicago Bears on Sunday.
However, second-year cornerback Carrington Valentine has elevated his level of play over the past few weeks. With the loss of Jaire Alexander, the Packers asked more of Valentine. He rewarded them with excellent performances at the perfect time. It’s reminiscent of another Packers cornerback from their last championship team: Sam Shields.
In 2010, the Packers entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the NFC, the final seed before the NFL expanded the playoff field in 2020. Aaron Rodgers‘ play solidified his place among the NFL’s elite and was a significant reason for their improbable Super Bowl run. However, Shields was another, more under-the-radar contributor.
Signed as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Miami, Shields became one of former general manager Ted Thompson’s best finds. He carved out an eight-year career, seven of which were with Green Bay. Shields likely would have had a longer career in Green Bay had it not been for a series of serious concussions that ultimately ended his Packers tenure.
He defied the odds as an undrafted free agent, starting the 2010 season as the team’s third cornerback behind Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson.
Similar to this season, the 2010 Packers faced a grueling path to the Super Bowl, starting with a road game against the Philadelphia Eagles (sound familiar?). They entered the postseason with 16 players on injured reserve. While their core secondary of Woodson, Nick Collins, and Williams remained intact, the team was missing key starters like Nick Barnett and Morgan Burnett. The Packers needed someone to take crucial defensive snaps.
Enter Sam Shields.
In the 2010 postseason, Shields recorded 13 solo tackles, three pass deflections, and a sack. He also had two interceptions and a forced fumble. Perhaps his most memorable play came in the NFC Championship game when he intercepted a pass with 47 seconds left to seal the victory and send the Packers to the Super Bowl.
His postseason interceptions came in that game against the rival Chicago Bears. Not bad for an undrafted rookie who only started playing cornerback in his senior year of college after switching from wide receiver.
Shields’ ability to complement Williams and Woodson as the team’s third cornerback was his most critical postseason contribution. Woodson and Williams played terrific ball that season, but, as the saying goes, you’re only as strong as your weakest link.
Had Shields been that weak link, it would have severely limited defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ options. Opposing offenses targeted the undrafted rookies. But he held his own. The defense didn’t miss a beat when Woodson left the Super Bowl just before halftime with what turned out to be a broken collarbone, mainly due to Shields stepping up as he had throughout the playoffs.
Fast forward to this postseason, and the Packers face a similar situation. With a daunting path of three road games ahead and injuries depleting the secondary, the team needs someone to step up. That someone could be Carrington Valentine.
“CV,” as his teammates call him, entered this season as the team’s third cornerback behind Alexander and Keisean Nixon, splitting snaps with Eric Stokes. Over time, he supplanted Stokes and became a primary starter after Alexander’s last game on November 17. Nixon shifted to the outside, with Javon Bullard taking over primarily in the slot. Valentine has rewarded the Packers with strong performances over the past few weeks – just in time for the playoffs.
Valentine has made three key turnovers recently that helped shift momentum. He recorded his first interception in the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks, preventing them from closing the gap to 17-10 and making it a one-possession game. Valentine intercepted Sam Darnold in Minnesota to give Green Bay’s offense a short field when they desperately needed points.
Most recently, he forced a fumble deep in Chicago Bears territory, setting Green Bay up for much-needed points. When the defense needed a big play, No. 24 answered the call.
Valentine isn’t just making an impact with turnovers. On Sunday, he earned the third-highest PFF grade on the defense and allowed only two receptions. His 70.3 PFF grade ranks 46th out of 223 cornerbacks, while his 74.4 coverage grade ranks 26th. As Jeff Hafley has preached, Valentine is forcing turnovers and playing physical, sticky coverage. The seventh-round pick may be one of general manager Brian Gutekunst’s hidden gems, much like Shields was for Thompson.
Shields became a major contributor for the Packers for six more seasons, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2014 and a contract extension shortly after. Could Valentine become a similar long-term fixture in Green Bay?
The Packers may move on from Jaire Alexander and will likely meaningfully address their cornerback room this offseason. Therefore, a standout playoff performance could further cement Valentine’s role on the 2025 roster.
Valentine and the Packers will face A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in Philadelphia during the Wild Card round on Sunday. Whether he lines up against the big, physical Brown or the speedy, shifty Smith, Valentine is in for a challenge.
If the Packers can pull off the upset and advance past the Eagles, a matchup with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ben Johnson, and the Detroit Lions awaits them in the next round. They will have to go through a gauntlet of high-profile wide receivers to advance to the Super Bowl. Having Valentine playing at a high level will be crucial to navigating that.
Valentine will likely draw a tough matchup, no matter who the Packers play in the playoffs. It’s reminiscent of Shields’ matchups in 2010 against DeSean Jackson, Roddy White, and Hines Ward during Green Bay’s playoff run.
For the Packers to finish with the ultimate prize, they’ll need Carrington Valentine to rise to the occasion, just like Shields did during that magical run 14 years ago.
