Isaiah Simmons Visits Packers as Free Agency Search Continues

Former first-round pick Isaiah Simmons is looking for a fresh start after two seasons with the Giants.

Isaiah Simmons, a name once tied to sky-high potential and top-10 NFL Draft buzz, could be on the verge of starting a new chapter in Green Bay.

The 26-year-old defensive back and former first-round pick is visiting the Green Bay Packers on Monday as he continues his search for a new home in free agency. NFL Network reported Simmons’ visit with the Packers as the latest development in his offseason journey — one that could bring both sides a timely opportunity.

#Giants free agent LB Isaiah Simmons is visiting the #Packers today, source said.

An intriguing potential addition, Simmons has played for NYG for the past two seasons. A 2020 No. 8 overall pick by the #AZCardinals. pic.twitter.com/5cqn9BqaDa

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2025

Versatility with Untapped Potential

Selected No. 8 overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft, Simmons entered the league with rare versatility. A hybrid linebacker-safety with elite athleticism, he was projected to be a Swiss Army knife on defense. And while flashes of that potential have certainly appeared, Simmons has yet to fully carve out a consistent role in any one system.

Obviously, there’s a reason why Isaiah Simmons is a free agent. There’s also a reason why he’s in Green Bay for a visit. https://t.co/q3K3e4sAAm

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) April 14, 2025

He spent the last two seasons with the New York Giants, where he was acquired in a trade for a seventh-round pick just before the 2023 season. Simmons re-signed on a one-year deal last April and went on to appear in all 17 games for the Giants in 2024. Used mostly in a rotational capacity, he played just 17 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and 33 percent on special teams.

Still, Simmons made his presence felt. He finished the season with 21 tackles, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble — showing that while his role may have been reduced, his ability to impact games hadn’t disappeared.

Fit with the Packers?

The Packers have long valued defensive players with versatility, and Simmons brings just that. Whether it’s at safety, linebacker, or even as a slot defender in sub-packages, Simmons could be an intriguing addition to a Green Bay defense undergoing a youth movement and looking to reload in the secondary.

Of note on the Isaiah Simmons visit for GB:

1. Simmons has played safety and LB. Would be a very unique piece in Hafley’s defense.

2. Simmons has played 370 special teams snaps the past two seasons, including a 88.2 grade from PFF on teams in 2024.

3. LB/S is prob a position…

— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) April 14, 2025

With depth needs at multiple positions and an evolving identity under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Simmons could provide the kind of matchup flexibility that fits well in today’s NFL. His combination of speed, length, and coverage ability offers Green Bay a potential low-risk, high-reward addition.

A Chance to Reignite His Career

Simmons has played in 84 career games with 42 starts since entering the league in 2020. Over that time, he’s recorded 21 passes defensed, five interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and 8.5 sacks. While he never quite lived up to the lofty expectations in Arizona, his career arc is far from over.

Now at 26, Simmons still has time to rewrite the narrative — and a visit to Green Bay could be the first step in doing just that.

For Simmons, joining a playoff-caliber team like the Packers could offer stability, coaching, and a clearer role than he’s had in recent seasons. And for the Packers, adding a former top-10 pick with proven athleticism and flashes of elite play could help solidify their defensive rotation.

Monday’s visit may not make headlines — but for a player like Simmons, and a team like the Packers, it could mark the start of something mutually beneficial.