Isaiah Simmons is COMING

[Pokerbrat2000]

I believe one of two extremes occur at this stage in Simmons' career....

This season he showcases the ability to be the player most of the league thought they saw when he was a college prospect - and plays into a solid to big contract in the offseason.

OR

He continues to underachieve and literally be facing next year no one really picking up the phone for him...and at best has to take another one year gamble deal...

I see no middle ground.

Originally, I was thinking that Simmons was drafted by the Giants and just didn't live up to the expectations of the 8th pick of the 2020 draft. But that wasn't the case. He was drafted by the Cardinals, spent 3 seasons with them before being traded for a mere 7th round pick to the Giants in August of 2023. In his 2 seasons with the Giants, his career seemed to decline even more.

I guess as a Packer fan, I can hope that his 3rd home is a game changer and he transforms into a Pro Bowler. I do like the fact that he offers a lot of versatility on defense and special teams. His resume shows him lining up on defense as a linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety.

All that said, if I had to make a bet today, I think he has a shot of making the 53, but as just as a backup and special teams player.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Originally, I was thinking that Simmons was drafted by the Giants and just didn't live up to the expectations of the 8th pick of the 2020 draft. But that wasn't the case. He was drafted by the Cardinals, spent 3 seasons with them before being traded for a mere 7th round pick to the Giants in August of 2023. In his 2 seasons with the Giants, his career seemed to decline even more.

I guess as a Packer fan, I can hope that his 3rd home is a game changer and he transforms into a Pro Bowler. I do like the fact that he offers a lot of versatility on defense and special teams. His resume shows him lining up on defense as a linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety.

All that said, if I had to make a bet today, I think he has a shot of making the 53, but as just as a backup and special teams player.

My guess is if there is a way to make this guy a valuable contributor on defense, Jeff Hafley will find it.

This is Simmons's third team, so this is probably his last shot to have the type of career he likely envisioned. I'm rooting for him.

 

[gopkrs]

I wonder why he played so well at whatever college he went to.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I wonder why he played so well at whatever college he went to.

Probably helps that he was on a 14-1 team, that ended up losing to LSU in the Championship game. That said, he was a very good player at Clemson, winning the Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker his final year.

Let's face it, a lot of really good college players end up underperforming expectation in the NFL. There are many reasons why that happens, which is why drafting and developing can be such a crap shoot.

 

[Magooch]

He was awesome in college, but like a lot of players in similar situations he was seen as a bit of a "tweener," too big to be a safety but not always having the proper instincts to play LB...
And I think for many players you see a bit of a "big fish in a small pond" type of thing. Now obviously "small pond" is kind of a stretch for Clemson...but my point is that when you are an elite physical specimen/athlete you can still get by on that a long way in college. Once you get to the pros and everyone is as fast and as strong as you it's a different story.
Still, I remember at the time he was drafted Cardinals fans were ECSTATIC that he "fell" all the way to 8. Many at the time had him thought to be like a top-3 talent type of player. So, who knows. Maybe he is just going to be a really late bloomer and/or teams just haven't found the right niche, but at this point he's been tried a lot of places and it hasn't worked. Like I said, I'm not expecting much, but anything is really a bonus

 

[gopkrs]

Well, so he's still a tweener? That's normally a big enough negative so as not to make it. Not always but...

 

[Sanguine camper]

By year six, almost all players are are their "peak" performance. It's extremely doubtful Simmons will give rhe Packers much in the way of LB play especially with Walker and Cooper taking most of the snaps. If he's a really good special teams player and fills in adequately in an emergency, then his signing and season will be a success. The Packers need all the help they can get on special teams!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Finally saw the $$ numbers for Simmons contract. The Packers got a steal of a deal IMO.

1 year, $1,337,500 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including $167,500 signing bonus, $167,500 guaranteed

 

[DoURant]

Finally saw the $$ numbers for Simmons contract. The Packers got a steal of a deal IMO.

1 year, $1,337,500 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including $167,500 signing bonus, $167,500 guaranteed

If it doesn't work out, only a pretty small guarantee of money they invested. We'll worth the gamble.

 

[gopkrs]

I guess they figure they have a place for him. I would not call it a steal unless he does something well. It seems like we are more or less committed to him for a year. I hope he doesn't take a spot from someone who is better.

 

[tynimiller]

Finally saw the $$ numbers for Simmons contract. The Packers got a steal of a deal IMO.

1 year, $1,337,500 contract with the Green Bay Packers, including $167,500 signing bonus, $167,500 guaranteed

Eh yes and no. He has been a far cry from his athleticism as a football player. Like Hardman I wouldn’t be shocked if he doesn’t make roster truthfully…I bet he does but wouldn’t be shocked.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Eh yes and no. He has been a far cry from his athleticism as a football player. Like Hardman I wouldn’t be shocked if he doesn’t make roster truthfully…I bet he does but wouldn’t be shocked.

I was referring more to the contract.

The $167.5K is pocket change for the NFL. Would say a bargain to get Simmons on the 90 man roster. Where he ends up, I'm not to worried about. If he makes the 53 man, awesome, he's someone to watch and a cheap veteran addition. If he doesn't make the cut, who's going to miss the ham sandwich it cost to get him?

 

[gopkrs]

I was referring more to the contract.

The $167.5K is pocket change for the NFL. Would say a bargain to get Simmons on the 90 man roster. Where he ends up, I'm not to worried about. If he makes the 53 man, awesome, he's someone to watch and a cheap veteran addition. If he doesn't make the cut, who's going to miss the ham sandwich it cost to get him?

So you are sure we don't pay if he doesn't make the roster?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I guess they figure they have a place for him. I would not call it a steal unless he does something well. It seems like we are more or less committed to him for a year. I hope he doesn't take a spot from someone who is better.

Let's put it this way, as of today, I believe it was a worthwhile investment for the Packers. I think we already know this guys floor, but he pretty much disappeared the last 2 years. Then again, he was playing for the 9-25 Giants.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

So you are sure we don't pay if he doesn't make the roster?

No player gets paid, their non-guaranteed amount, if they don't make the 53 man roster or on PUP/IR. He is only guaranteed the $167.5K