What to Know: Packers re-sign safety and special teams player Dallin Leavitt
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers continue to put an emphasis on special teams this offseason. According to Mike Garafolo, the team has re-signed safety and core special teams player Dallin Leavitt.
Leavitt would only see the field for one defensive snap in 2022, but he finished second on the team in special teams snaps, playing on a variety of units, while also recording the second-most tackles, per PFF. In addition to his impact on special teams, Aaron Rodgers had also talked about the importance of Leavitt’s presence in the locker room last season as well.
The Packers’ special teams unit took a big jump in 2022, finishing 22nd in Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings, one year after they ranked 32nd. Obviously, a big part of the unit’s success was due to the hiring of Rich Bisaccia, but we also saw GM Brian Gutekunst take a different approach by signing a number of special teams-specific players, which included Leavitt, Rudy Ford, Eric Wilson, and Keisean Nixon.
Following the regular season, Gutekunst said that Green Bay would take a similar approach this offseason, and so far, they very much have. In addition to bringing back Leavitt, the Packers have also re-signed Nixon, Ford, Wilson, Corey Ballentine and added Tarvarius Moore and Matt Orzech.
A continued emphasis on special teams is one way to help first-year starting quarterback Jordan Love. Although success is far from guaranteed, consistently winning the field position battle and taking advantage of field goal opportunities are two relatively simple and inexpensive ways to help a young quarterback.
The safety room has now grown quite crowded for the Packers, although it still remains a big question mark heading into the season. Matt LaFleur told us that Rasul Douglas would begin the summer at cornerback, while Darnell Savage will be at safety rather than in the slot. However, we do not know who his running mate will be.
As I wrote recently, I believe Ford is the front-runner for that role. Moore could be in the mix as well, given his experience. After that, Green Bay is low on options. Innis Gaines was more of a slot defender than a traditional safety last season when on the field, and Tariq Carpenter may be better suited at linebacker and as a special teams player. James Wiggins, meanwhile, has no NFL experience.
Even with three additions at safety this offseason, that shouldn’t have a big impact on how the Packers approach the draft. It’s an inexperienced room overall that was lacking both consistency and playmaking last season–not to mention that a majority of the safeties under contract are only on one-year deals. Unfortunately, for the Packers, this year’s safety group is lacking high-end talent.
The contract details for Leavitt have not yet been reported. For reference, Leavitt played out the 2022 season on a one-year deal worth up to $1.2 million.