Packers Prospect Rudy Ford The Green Bay Packers made a significant investment in their safety position by acquiring Xavier McKinney. This move highlights the departure of their three key safeties from the 2023 season, each of whom has now joined different teams. Following the exits of Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens, Rudy Ford has also found a new opportunity.
On Wednesday, Rudy Ford finalized a deal with the Carolina Panthers, as reported by Joe Person of The Athletic. Ford, who has been with the Packers for the last two seasons, started in 15 games during his tenure in Green Bay. His move to the Panthers comes amidst notable changes in Carolina’s safety lineup.
The Panthers recently parted ways with Vonn Bell after just one season, making room for new additions. They brought in Jordan Fuller, a former Rams player who worked under ex-Rams defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and Nick Scott, who was cut by the Bengals this offseason and also previously worked with Evero. Despite these additions, Ford does not have direct experience with Evero; however, he is familiar with Joe Barry, who worked with Evero in Green Bay.
Ford’s journey in the NFL saw him evolve from a backup role to a more prominent position over the past two seasons with the Packers. Before his time in Green Bay, Ford had a more varied career path, playing five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars, where he started only six games. During his time with the Packers, he formed a notable partnership with Darnell Savage, contributing significantly by intercepting five passes.
Pro Football Focus rated Ford just outside the top 30 among regular safeties last season, reflecting his solid performance on the field. Although he was recently evaluated by the San Francisco 49ers, he was not signed by them. As he joins the Panthers, Ford is expected to add valuable experience to their safety corps, which also includes Xavier Woods, entering his second year with the team.
In summary, Rudy Ford’s move to the Carolina Panthers represents a strategic acquisition for a team in transition at the safety position. Ford’s previous experience and recent performance make him a significant addition to the Panthers’ defensive lineup.
