Packers bring back safety Rudy Ford
The special teams standout can earn up to $2.5 million on a one year deal.
By PackerAaron
NFL Network reports that the Packers are bringing back safety Rudy Ford on a one year deal, worth up to $2.5 million.
The move makes sense given Ford's contribution on special teams, specifically on coverage units, as well as his ability from scrimmage.
While perhaps not a front line starter, Ford was a solid fill-in at safety when called upon and certainly showed a willingness to fly around and hit people.
That said, the safety room currently boasts Darnell Savage, Ford, new signing Tarvarius Moore (another backup/special teams level player) Tariq Carpenter, Innis Gaines, and James Wiggins.
Needless to say, the safety spot will undoubtedly continue to be a focus through free agency and the draft,
RUDY! RUDY! RUDY!
Ford's second INT of the half 💪 #DALvsGB | #GoPackGo
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/neSSVXF325
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 13, 2022
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Comments (13)
splitpea1
March 17, 2023 at 11:09 pm
Very glad to have him back as well. It seems Gute and Bisaccia have become best friends: Nixon, Moore, and now Ford. Our special teams are trending towards something we might be proud of. I guess a little draft flexibility in terms of safety needs doesn't hurt, either.
4thand10
March 17, 2023 at 11:19 pm
Pretty happy about this as well!
T7Steve
March 18, 2023 at 06:16 am
Nixon and Ford are on the same ticket again. Thought I'd be the first to say that this season.
egbertsouse
March 18, 2023 at 07:08 am
Signing a JAG sure stirs up a lot of excitement in Packerland. Here is something really exciting, Minnesota signed Dean Lowry! We don’t have to watch him get pushed around for another season. At least most of you don’t. I live there.
Untylu1968
March 18, 2023 at 09:03 am
Sorry, but after all the years of rotten special teams, and the bitching that went along with it, a little excitement is warranted over signing a proven asset. As for the loss of Lowery and the other average guys that are gone, it brings the excitement of potential replacements. Here's to finding a star somewhere along the way, to fill their shoes.
Leatherhead
March 18, 2023 at 12:06 pm
You have 69 guys on a team, and most of them are Jags , but you don’t win without them. If they stay healthy enough to practice and play, that’s a plus.
golfpacker1
March 18, 2023 at 09:24 am
Special teams are very important in the success of a football team. Teams that have great special teams give themselves a stronger chance to win every game. I am an Iowa Hawkeyes fan and even though I disagree alot with Coach Ferentz on his blatant decision to not have a strong offense from this century, we always have great defense and special teams. In fact Iowa was so bad on offense the last 2 years, special teams won them games. Iowa fans had shirts made that said I cheer for the punter. Its about time Green Bay realized that and are making a strong effort to make special teams a strength not a liability. Another big part of fixing special teams is Mason Crosby not being able to get kickoffs in the end zone. If its time to move on spend a 7th on the best kicker in the draft, Maybe Moody from Michigan, he knows how to kick in the cold. Mason has been a great Packer but this is the same decision as we are making with Rodgers. If the ball is kicked thru the end zone nobody gets hurt and the offense always starts with a long field.
Leatherhead
March 18, 2023 at 02:32 pm
“Special teams are very important “”
13-3 with poor special teams, 8-9 with good special teams.
Making FGs is important. Not turning it over is important. The rest doesn’t seem to correlate real well with wins.
golfpacker1
March 19, 2023 at 09:20 am
Well Leatherhead there is alot more to special teams than just making field goals. Field position is extremely important. Giving up a short field because of a bad punt, a short kickoff than can be returned so a team starts @ the 35 yard line instead of the 25 makes one hell of a difference. Its just like turning the ball over and giving the other team a short field.
Plus everytime you have a kickoff through the end zone you have really lessened the chance for someone to get hurt. If Crosby can't do this then either the Packers replace him or someone else can just kickoff and Crosby can kick field goals. Since we are in salary cap hell we probably can't afford a $3 million dollar kicker with a weaker leg. Mason has had a great career but its probably just time. Better too soon than too late.
The point I was making about the Iowa punter is that he he really good at hangtime, direction, and kicking inside the twenty. AKA good special teams.
There is always somebody that has to include a snide comment in their post. Christ its like talking to my wife.
Since'61
March 18, 2023 at 09:35 am
Good move to bring back Ford. The Packers need all the solid players that they can hang onto or find for the upcoming season. Thanks, Since '61
RedRight49
March 18, 2023 at 10:05 am
Rudy Ford brings an aggressive attitude to the field and walks the walk with his willingness to hit , block or tackle somebody, anybody in an opposing jersey.
He and Nixon play hard-nosed football on Special Teams and, helped transform a soft and somewhat moribund ST unit into a Packer asset.
Love it!
GPG
Rossonero
March 18, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Very happy to hear this! I thought it was strange considering how bad our Special teams have been over the years, that there were reports the Packers were going to let him walk.
Major boost to special teams, as well as some much needed depth in the safety room.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
March 18, 2023 at 07:09 pm
Been hoping that Ford would be resigned! Gutey seems to be making a move at safety to where he might not have to invest a high draft choice there. See what happens with Amos & whether Rasul is moved back to Safety. With the signing of Tarvarius Moore yesterday, Gutey seems to be going the direction I was hoping in the offseason. Patch work the Safety position with FA veterans, and with our limited draft choices focus on WR, TE, DL, Edge, CB (if Rasul is moved).