Free agency in July isn’t exactly headline news, but every year, a few names hang around longer than expected. This time, one Super Bowl-winning cornerback still available could end up circling back to a team he once called home.
According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, there’s one fit that makes too much sense to ignore: Rasul Douglas and the Green Bay Packers.
Rasul Douglas Could Return to Green Bay After Jaire Alexander’s Departure
In a recent breakdown of top unsigned defenders, Holder zeroed in on Douglas as a natural fit in Green Bay’s secondary, especially now that Jaire Alexander is no longer on the roster.
“Douglas revived his career with the Packers in 2021, and a reunion would make a lot of sense,” Holder wrote. “After moving on from Jaire Alexander last month, Green Bay is expected to start Nate Hobbs and Keisean Nixon at outside cornerback. Both Hobbs and Nixon are better at nickelback, though, so adding Douglas could allow one of them to move back to their more natural position.”
Douglas, who spent the back half of 2023 in Buffalo, has remained unsigned despite his history of production and familiarity with Green Bay’s defensive system. Teams haven’t forgotten about him, but the market may just be waiting on something to shift.
The reality is that Douglas has been productive throughout his career. However, his 2024 numbers took a dip, and that’s what likely cooled the urgency around signing him. No interceptions, just five pass breakups, and a 58.9 coverage grade represent a significant drop from his previous performance levels.
“Douglas is a long cornerback who uses his limbs well to make plays on the ball,” Holder said. “But he’s coming off one of the worst years of his career. Combine that with his age, and it makes sense why Douglas is available.”
The veteran cornerback didn’t fall off the map entirely. In his first stretch with the Bills, he racked up four picks, a pick-six, two fumble recoveries, and eight deflections, all in just nine games. That kind of burst doesn’t just disappear overnight. He’s possibly waiting for the right contract or situation, but time isn’t exactly on his side.
Green Bay’s Secondary Needs Depth at Outside Corner
With training camp approaching, depth at outside corner is already under the microscope in Green Bay. Hobbs and Nixon are serviceable, maybe even solid, but neither is a natural fit on the outside.
That’s where Douglas comes in. He’s 6’2″ with length, experience, and a history with the system. He’s been the stopgap guy before, and in a locker room that just lost one of its most dependable defensive backs, his presence could carry more weight than a rookie learning on the fly.
Alexander’s departure to Baltimore creates an immediate need for veteran leadership in the secondary. The Packers released Alexander in June after contract restructuring talks fell through, leaving a significant void in their cornerback room.
Douglas doesn’t need to be the long-term answer. For the Packers, looking to stabilize one of their thinnest position groups, Douglas might be the best option left on the board. His familiarity with defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s system could allow for a seamless transition back to Green Bay.
The timing works for both sides. Douglas gets a chance to rebuild his value with a team that knows his capabilities, while Green Bay adds proven depth without a major financial commitment.
