Yesterday, it was revealed that the Green Bay Packers were interested in signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. Samuel was strategically waiting for after the trade deadline to land with a squad, as we reported:
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.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz broke the news that Samuel’s first visit will be with the Carolina Panthers, the team that just beat the Packers. After his visit to Carolina, though, he will take trips to visit the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, if he doesn’t sign with the Panthers immediately.
Samuel is coming off a spine fusion, which is why he has yet to sign with a team. He was only recently cleared for football. Prior to his procedure becoming public, he was considered one of the top free agents at the start of the 2025 free agency period.
Notably, the Packers are out cornerback Nate Hobbs for the next several weeks due to an MCL sprain. Behind Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine are two players on the 53-man roster, Bo Melton and Kamal Hadden, who have never played a single snap of regular-season defensive football in their NFL careers. To say the least, Green Bay is thin at the position.
