Green Bay Packers: 3 Players You May Want Cut But Won’t Be
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Safety Will Redmond
I imagine for most when they hear Will Redmond’s name; they have a quick flashback to the NFC Championship Game where he whiffed on what should have been a relatively easy interception. The missed opportunity would result in a Tampa Bay touchdown a short while later.
Even outside of that one play, Redmond admittedly has taken his lumps in coverage during his time in Green Bay as well, and when he was re-signed, I know many out there were left scratching their heads.
Yet even with the ups and downs, he’s not someone that I anticipate being cut. And there are a few reasons why.
For starters, it’s not as if Redmond is a very experienced player, the 372 snaps he took in 2020 were the most of his NFL career, which means that there is room for growth–how much is the question. He’s also a versatile defender, something that we know is coveted by defensive coordinators, with an ability to line up at free safety, in the box, or in the slot.
And while I have no way to confirm this, but when defensive backs coach Jerry Gray mentioned that four or five players are competing for snaps in the slot this season, I do believe Redmond is one of them. Over a third of his snaps from 2020 came in the slot, and according to PFF ($$), out of 52 qualified safeties with snaps from the slot, Remond finished 15th in both snaps per target and snaps per reception allowed.
We also can’t overlook special teams play when discussing Redmond. He has been one of the more impactful contributors on this team the past two seasons, and for a unit that is looking to turn things around this upcoming year, you can’t be moving on from contributors like Redmond.
Lastly, with potentially three safety spots up for grabs and only five players battling for those roster spots — Redmond, Vernon Scott, Henry Black, Christian Uphoff, and Innis Gaines — the numbers are in his favor, and Redmond’s experience gives him an advantage. Fans may be wondering why he’s on the final roster, but it does make sense.