Green Bay Packers Re-Signing Special Teams Ace Will Redmond
By Paul Bretl
It’s obvious at this point that the Green Bay Packers felt that they had a strong enough roster in 2020 to have won the Super Bowl–and spoiler alert, they did. They just didn’t perform up to their usual level in the NFC Championship Game, unfortunately.
So in an attempt to make another run at Lombardi Trophy in 2021, Brian Gutekunst has done just about everything in his power, kicking many of this year’s salary cap burdens into 2022 in an effort to keep the band together.
Up to this point, the Packers have restructured several contracts; Preston Smith and Devin Funchess took pay cuts, while all but one of Green Bay’s free-agent signees this offseason were members of the 2020 roster. This list, of course, includes Aaron Jones, Kevin King, Robert Tonyan, Chandon Sullivan, Tyler Lancaster, Marcedes Lewis, and now, Will Redmond.
This news isn’t official at this time, but Redmond posted on his Instagram account that he was back at Lambeau Field along with the phrase “run it back,” which is basically what the Green Bay Packers are doing at this point, and “Year 6,” noting that it’s his sixth NFL season.
I get it; like most of the “additions” prior to Redmond, this move is an underwhelming one, but where he has truly provided some value is on special teams–an area that the Packers have been plagued by poor play in recent years.
In 2020, Redmond took the third-most snaps on special teams with 276 and finished fourth on the team in special teams tackles. He led the Packers in that category in 2019. While special teams is often forgotten about, Redmond can hopefully help turn this unit around under new coordinator Maurice Drayton.
However, the defensive side of the ball has been a different story. Redmond had been tasked with various roles in Mike Pettine’s system but had struggled both in coverage and especially with tackling. I’m also sure we all remember his missed interception opportunity before halftime of the NFC Championship.
In coverage last season, Redmond allowed a completion rate of over 70 percent on 24 targets at 13.1 yards per catch. He also had just one pass breakup and a passer rating when targeted of 127.4. On top of that, he was fourth in missed tackles despite playing in only 55 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
Yet even with the ups and downs defensively, Redmond does bring added versatility to the defense, lining up in the slot for 134 snaps, in the box for another 117, and as the free safety for 107 last season, according to PFF ($$).
Perhaps with Vernon Scott and Henry Black being in their second seasons, the Packers won’t have to rely on Redmond as much on the defensive side of the ball. Or maybe they’ll be able to get some additional help in the draft from someone like Trevon Moehrig, for example.
Defensively this isn’t a signing that moves the needle by any means, but NFL teams need solid special teams players as well, and Redmond has proven that he can provide that. It’s also another low-risk move by Brian Gutekunst, as Redmond is likely signing for the veteran minimum.