The Green Bay Packers just made a major decision regarding veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander after months of internal deliberation.
While Alexander departs, one player fighting for a roster spot is Isaiah Simmons. This marks Simmons’ third team in a short span. Once a highly-touted draft prospect, Simmons hasn’t yet lived up to expectations, but the Packers are hoping to tap into the potential that’s been missing.
“General manager Brian Gutekunst has made a habit of signing reclamation projects on short, prove-it deals, hoping to unearth the talent that hasn’t yet led to production. Simmons is an ideal fit for that mold,” Packers News’ Ryan Wood wrote.
Simmons has turned heads this offseason. He knows nothing is guaranteed, and he’s been putting in serious work.
“I see a really hungry player. He’s a very eager player right now, and he’s extremely athletic. I think his versatility is going to be something special,” said linebackers coach Sean Duggan.
This offseason feels different for Simmons. For the first time in his career, he’s been asked to focus on just one position, a shift he believes will help him finally secure a role.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“I think really what I ran into most of my career is everybody wants me to do everything, as opposed to letting me get really good at one thing first,” Simmons said Thursday. “I fully believe in Haf’s plan. 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…just being able to lock in on one thing, and do that 1/11 every day, that’s been huge for me.”
Simmons still possesses elite athletic tools—it’s just a matter of unlocking them. Focusing on one position may finally be the key to unlocking his full potential.
Read the full article here