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Ex-Cardinals First-Rounder Running Out of Room on Packers Roster After Two Disappointing Preseason Outings

GREEN BAY, Aug. 18, 2025 — In June, Isaiah Simmons was the “unicorn”: blurring speed, long stride, always flashing in OTAs. In August, the same player walks into a quiet locker room—where the tape loops the small, fatal mistakes. Back-to-back preseason games below expectations have yanked him out of the safety zone, pushing a former first-round pick right up against the edge.

In the opener, Simmons misread a boot-action on the very first series—eyes glued to the fake, feet late by half a beat, leaving a wide-open window for an easy 19-yard catch. A week later, he lost on a tight end vertical: drop depth came up short, shoulders opened too early, leverage surrendered. The speed is still there, but the processing trails the ball—and in the NFL, a half-beat late can be an entire move lost.

The story flipped fast. Once the pads go on, pedigree stops being a passport. Green Bay runs on meritocracy: the trustworthy stay. At linebacker, the arithmetic of a 53-man roster usually allows only five or six spots. A few names already hold tickets thanks to steady play and special-teams value. The rest need a timely spark: a clean tackle for loss, a pressure that forces 3rd-and-long, or at minimum a visible stamp on kick/punt coverage. Simmons hasn’t produced that yet. No splash plays, no special-teams imprint—while a couple of younger faces are playing by the book and avoiding busts.

The idea of “locking” Simmons into one specific assignment—say a TE eraser in dime, a spy against mobile QBs, or a green-dog blitzer when the RB stays in protection—still has a path. But to earn back trust, he has to show three fundamentals immediately:

  1. Eye discipline vs. play-action/boot (key the right reads, don’t buy the fake).

  • Proper drop depth and angles in the hook/seam, without opening too soon.

  • Real special-teams value: 10–15 snaps a game with at least one winning rep—tackle or vice work on punt.

  • Amid that context, a clear message echoes through the Packers’ locker room.

    Head Coach Matt LaFleur : “We respect Isaiah’s effort, but here, opportunities are earned in pads and on every snap. You can be a first-rounder or a UDFA—Green Bay keeps only those who process fast, play with the right motor, and are reliable in the system. At this point, we need to see absolute discipline in his eyes, feet, and leverage. If that standard isn’t met, we have to make a tough decision.”

    One final week still sits on the calendar, but the clock is near zero. Unless Simmons flips the script in the preseason finale—not just running fast but playing right: no busts, no abandoned landmarks, and a tangible special-teams footprint—the Packers’ decision may already be written. This is no longer about a former first-rounder or a light, ~$1 million deal; it’s August’s basic exam: when the lights come on, only the tape speaks for you. And right now, the tape isn’t speaking in Isaiah Simmons’ favor.

    Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
    Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side