GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers’ training camp is buzzing with excitement, and one name is stealing the spotlight: Isaiah Simmons. The free-agent linebacker, signed to bolster the Packers’ defense, is proving to be a game-changer at Nitschke Field. With his jaw-dropping athleticism and relentless energy, Simmons is showing why he’s a perfect fit for Jeff Hafley’s defensive scheme.
A Dynamic Force on the Field
Over the first two days of training camp, Simmons has been impossible to ignore. The 6-foot-4, 238-pound linebacker, known for his rare blend of size, speed, and agility, has already made his presence felt. On Wednesday, he showcased his explosive speed, bursting into the backfield to disrupt a pitch play and later blowing up a screen to running back Josh Jacobs. His quickness left the Pro Bowl running back with nowhere to go.
On Thursday, Simmons continued to shine, this time in the nickel defense alongside Ty’Ron Hopper. He tipped a pass from quarterback Malik Willis at the line of scrimmage, setting up an interception for cornerback Carrington Valentine. These plays are just a glimpse of what Simmons brings to the table, and he’s only getting started.
“I still feel like I’m not really going how I can get,” Simmons said after Thursday’s practice. “I feel like that’s going to come with me just getting more comfortable with this playbook and the new position … as well as me grasping the concepts of Haf’s defense.”
A New Role, A New Opportunity
Simmons, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has spent much of his career as a hybrid defender, splitting time between safety and linebacker roles with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. His versatility, while a strength, often left him without a defined role, preventing him from truly mastering one position. In Green Bay, that’s changing.
The Packers have streamlined Simmons’ focus, deploying him primarily as an off-ball linebacker in specific defensive packages. This clarity has allowed him to hone his skills and play with confidence. “I feel like it’s been beneficial to me so far, just allowing me to really learn one thing (as) opposed to learning this today, something else tomorrow,” Simmons said. “I’m really appreciative of that.”
Head Coach Matt LaFleur is equally impressed, noting Simmons’ elite physical tools. “There’s a reason he was a top 10 pick,” LaFleur said. “He’s got all the measurables, and it’s just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do, and try to put him in some advantageous positions where he can really showcase his talent.”
A “Unicorn” at Linebacker
Simmons’ rare combination of attributes—running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash with a 39-inch vertical at the 2020 NFL Combine—has earned him high praise from teammates. Running back Josh Jacobs, who faced Simmons’ disruption in practice, called him “a unicorn” at linebacker. “The more comfortable he gets, the faster he runs,” Jacobs said. “I just can’t wait to see him in pads.”
Safety Xavier McKinney, who played alongside Simmons with the Giants in 2023, was a key advocate for his acquisition. McKinney echoed Jacobs’ sentiments, highlighting Simmons’ unique skill set. “You don’t really see ‘backers like him with his size, his length that can run, that can cover, that can tackle – can really do all those things and be productive,” McKinney said. “He’s going to be a big part of our defense.”
The Road Ahead
As Simmons continues to adapt to Hafley’s defense, the coaching staff is learning how to best utilize his talents. With linebacker Quay Walker still recovering from an offseason ankle procedure, Simmons has stepped up as the third linebacker in the base defense, showcasing his ability to make plays in multiple facets of the game.
His teammates and coaches are eager to see what’s next, especially once the pads come on. Jacobs, who has faced Simmons in games before, is excited to see his physicality up close. “I want to see how physical he is,” Jacobs said. “I know what kind of player he is, but it’s different when you see it on a day-to-day basis.”
For Simmons, the focus is simple: keep learning, keep making plays, and let his performance speak for itself. “I’m just going to be myself, man,” he said. “I’m not really here to show anything to anybody else, prove any points to anybody. That’s not what I’m here for. I’m just here to be myself and help the team out.”
A Star in the Making
Isaiah Simmons is quickly becoming a standout in Green Bay’s training camp, and his potential impact on the Packers’ defense is undeniable. With his freakish athleticism, newfound positional clarity, and a defensive scheme that plays to his strengths, Simmons is poised to be a difference-maker in 2025. As he continues to turn heads, Packers fans have every reason to be excited about this unstoppable linebacker.