To say Isaiah Simmons’ time with the New York Giants left a lot to be desired would be an understatement. The athletic linebacker-safety hybrid never found a consistent role. After an underwhelming stint with the Arizona Cardinals, the Giants took a low-risk flier by sending a 2024 seventh-round pick to acquire the former eighth overall pick.
Two quiet years later, and the soon-to-be six-year veteran is running out of time to stick.
Simmons took his talents to Green Bay earlier this offseason on a one-year, $1.2 million deal in the hopes of finally finding where he belongs. That’s what makes this upcoming training camp so important. Former first-rounders get a longer leash than most, but everyone has an expiration date. Simmons is on the clock.
Simmons has one more opportunity to prove he can stick with Packers
Training camp hype usually centers around the rookies, undrafted guys, and younger players trying to claw their way onto the 53-man roster—the do-or-die setting makes for easy rooting interests and underdog storylines.
But every now and then, a veteran will show up to training camp with something to prove. Simmons fits that mold in Green Bay.
He hasn't been with the cheeseheads long, but the 27-year-old has already acknowledged how pivotal this chance is — and why it might be the best one he’s ever had:
“I fully believe in [defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's] plan,” Simmons told reporters after he signed with the Packers. “He’s letting me just lock in and learn a small portion first before we even think about expanding to anything else. That’s something I really appreciate because I never really had that opportunity to really just hone in on one position.”
“That’s been huge for me. It’s something... that hasn’t been presented to me because my versatility, I feel like it’s a little bit of a gift and a curse, where they want you to do everything but, at the end of the day, I’m still a human.”
That wasn't exactly how things worked out in New York. They played him at linebacker, safety, and nickel cornerback, while also utilizing him in their special teams gameplan. He never got the chance to master one position, ultimately leading to his inconsistencies.
Simmons is expected to compete for a true linebacker role in Hafley's up-and-coming defense, but nothing is guaranteed. The former Clemson Tiger needs a strong camp to convince the Pack he deserves another shot. If he struggles, Green Bay could easily move on before the season starts.