Rudy Ford is the Packers biggest positive surprise at mid-season
In 2019, the Green Bay Packers made two strong moves to add safeties. They signed free agent veteran Adrian Amos to a four-year contract, and used two fourth-round picks to trade up in the first to select Darnell Savage. Since then, general manager Brian Gutekunst hasn't invested much in the position. The duo worked well […]
In 2019, the Green Bay Packers made two strong moves to add safeties. They signed free agent veteran Adrian Amos to a four-year contract, and used two fourth-round picks to trade up in the first to select Darnell Savage. Since then, general manager Brian Gutekunst hasn't invested much in the position.
The duo worked well together for two seasons under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, but Savage regressed under Joe Barry and Amos got older. This year, without many answers available, they needed someone to step up. And Rudy Ford has done exactly that.
Signed in 2022 to be mainly a special teamer, he became the Packers best safety — this says a lot about the group, to be fair, but it also tells you how impactful Ford has been.
"He's just doing his job," said Packers safeties coach Ryan Downard during the regular season. "He's doing it at a high level, he's playing hard. When you turn that tape on, you see how hard he plays. He's very intentional with his preparation, and he's finally gotten the opportunity to show what he can do, and he's capitalizing on it."
Rudy Ford has been in the NFL since 2017, for the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Over his first five seasons, he had never played more than 50% of the defensive snaps for anyone, and was primarily a special teamer. Last year, he was released by the Jaguars and immediately signed by the Packers to be a… special teamer.
But circumstances changed with bad performances from Savage. Ford became an eventual starter, but didn't reach the 50% snaps on defense once again.
This year, when the Packers let Adrian Amos walk in free agency, Savage and Ford became the preemptive starters. They signed veterans Jonathan Owens and Tarvarius Moore, and also drafted Anthony Johnson Jr. in the seventh round. Those were all minor moves, but no one beat Ford.
And when the regular season began, Rudy Ford cemented his position.
So far this season, Rudy Ford has had 40 tackles, nine stops, two interceptions, and he's allowed a 37.7 passer rating when targeted.
Ford has been the best Packers safety by a significant margin. According to PFF, he has a 74.9 grade, while the other safeties of the roster are well below that: Dallin Leavitt (65.5), Anthony Johnson Jr. (63.3), Darnell Savage (59.7), and Jonathan Owens (53.6).
Rudy Ford is slated to be a free agent in 2024, but his performance this year has put him in a position to be extended. Ford is not a young, promising piece with a huge upside. However, he gives the Packers a strong floor and a useful, versatile piece. In a year where several players have regressed, Ford is a good example of hard work paying off.
There’s still a realistic path for the Packers to reach the playoffs
Team needs to win at least six more games
