Based on sources I’ve talked to, here’s the scenario. The Packers wanted to have Samuel on a visit, prior to him being cleared for action, in an effort to recruit him. Samuel’s camp told Green Bay that any visit would have to wait until after the trade deadline, as Samuel is hoping to land with a team where he can start immediately, so that he can build back his on-field reputation in time for the 2026 free agent market. Remember, Samuel is coming off his rookie contract, so his career earnings are $7.2 million at the moment. His next multi-year deal will likely be where he receives the most money in his NFL career, if all goes well in 2025.
The addition of Samuel would certainly complicate the Packers’ cornerback room. At any given time, two of Nixon, Valentine, Hobbs or Samuel will not be playing outside cornerback, a position all of them seem to want to be starting at long-term. So far, the team’s top coverage player has been Valentine, followed by Nixon — and his penalties — and then Hobbs.
The Packers could easily fit Samuel on the 48-man gameday roster, from just a bodies perspective. Right now, Green Bay is regularly dressing second-year cornerback Kamal Hadden, a player who has just played five special teams snaps for the team over eight games. Right now, he’s essentially an emergency defender who has played poorly in the limited special teams reps that he’s received. If Samuel were added to the team, that would likely close a door for Hadden’s time on the gameday roster and likely on the 53-man roster.
On the recruitment front, the Packers should have some help drawing Samuel’s attention. Beyond their shaky cornerback room, which should be a positive in Samuel’s book, Green Bay’s current passing game coordinator is Derrick Ansley.
Ansley came to the Packers after a stint as the Chargers’ defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator under head coach Brandon Staley. He worked with Samuel daily for the first three years of the cornerback’s career, when he recorded 43 of his 47 career NFL starts. According to sources, these two are still on good terms.
