Isaiah Simmons hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in the NFL since being selected in the first round. However, this summer, he’s been turning heads in Green Bay, impressing both teammates and coaches with his athleticism and versatility. Packers running back Josh Jacobs even gave Simmons high praise, calling him a unicorn.
“First, he can run,” Jacobs said. “He can run. He’s kind of a unicorn in that position. We can put him out on guys in the slot. He can cover guys. Really, man, I just can’t wait to see him in pads. I want to see how physical he is. Obviously, I’ve played against him a couple of times, so I know what player he is — but it’s different when you see him like that.”
There was early belief during camp that Simmons would be close to a lock for the 53-man roster.
“But the Packers are giving Simmons a chance to focus on just one position at linebacker, and there's a chance he could provide something meaningful in a specific subpackage role. Also, it's clear he's the preferred backup option at linebacker, so if nothing else, Simmons looks like a good bet to make the 53 at this point in camp,” wrote Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse.
However, his preseason debut was a different story. Simmons struggled in the opener, serving as a reality check. With another opportunity coming this weekend against the Colts, his performance could make or break his roster chances.
“The signing of Simmons was met with a lot of excitement considering his athletic profile and pedigree as a former top-10 draft pick. However, Simmons has yet to make a strong impression in Green Bay. Last week against New York, he missed a pair of tackles and didn't look confident in coverage while linebackers Ty'Ron Hopper and Kristian Welch both looked really good. Off-ball linebacker is one of the most competitive position groups on Green Bay's roster, and Simmons may currently be on the outside looking in for a roster spot,” Packers Wire’s Brandon Carwile wrote.
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Simmons was once seen as a rising star full of promise. Now, he's in a tough fight to secure a roster spot. If his sense of urgency doesn’t shift and he fails to show confidence and production in game two, his time in Green Bay—and perhaps the NFL—could be in jeopardy. The Packers clearly value his athletic upside and are giving him opportunities, but if it doesn’t translate to the field soon, there may not be another.