The Green Bay Packers gave former top-10 pick Isaiah Simmons plenty of runway to re-adopt his role as an inside linebacker.
Formerly the No. 8 overall pick of the 2020 draft, Simmons was lost in the shuffle of the Arizona Cardinals‘ regime change and eventually traded to a New York Giants team that did not commit him to one position in their defense.
The Packers offered Simmons, whose generational athletic profile ranked 7th of all linebacker prospects since 1987, the opportunity to solely focus on linebacker. His evaluation came down to the wire. He played the second-most snaps of any Packers player in the preseason.
However, Simmons did not make a convincing argument, leading to his expected release on cutdown day, Tuesday, August 26, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The decision comes after the Packers expressed utmost confidence in Simmons, which can be translated to the rest of the linebacker room following his release.
The former Cardinals top-10 pick had joined Green Bay earlier this offseason after two years with the Giants. Has 329 career tackles.
Isaiah Simmons Gets Honest About Preseason Performance With Packers
Despite a stellar performance in the Packers’ preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks, Simmons was not satisfied with his play.
“I don’t think it’s been up to my standard,” Simmons said last week, per Sports Illustrated. “I just feel like I’ve been thinking too much instead of just being myself. Trying to play too perfect, as opposed to just playing.
“I’ve always been my own biggest critic, and I think that’s just kind of played a major part into it,” he added. “Being a little too hard on myself and not understanding that in football, mistakes are going to happen. Nobody’s going to play a perfect game. And just understanding mistakes are going to happen as opposed to playing to not make mistakes.”
Simmons’ inner critique seems to be a prevailing trend for the fifth-year linebacker, who, despite never missing a game in his career, has not carved out staying power with three teams.
In 84 games played, Simmons has 329 combined tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 8.5 sacks and five interceptions. He is likely to be a priority on the waiver wire.
“I feel like I’m a guy who could be a top guy in this league,” Simmons said. “My mind will never change with that. At this point, I just feel like sky’s the limit and I have nothing to do but grow.”
Highly drafted, but didn’t live up to the hype.
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Packers’ Confidence in LB Room Led to Simmons’ Release
Despite Matt LaFleur showering Simmons with confidence throughout the summer, the real riser was the rest of the linebacker room.
A third-round pick in 2024, Ty’Ron Hopper is arguably the most improved Packers player for arguably the Packers’ best position group.
Quay Walker is working his way back from offseason ankle surgery, while Isaiah McDuffie and Edgerrin Cooper are poised to take on starting roles as well.
Meanwhile, special teams ace Kristian Welch appears to have won a roster spot over Simmons.
Packers Turn Heads After Cutting Ties With Top-10 Pick