Getty Free-agent cornerback Rasul Douglas.
Veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas has shut down the possibility of re-signing with the Green Bay Packers for the 2025 NFL season amid fan speculation.
The Packers could potentially look to add to their cornerback room before the start of training camp in July after releasing two-time Pro Bowl starter Jaire Alexander in June. Meanwhile, Douglas remains an unsigned free agent after his contract with the Buffalo Bills expired in March — a contract that he originally signed with the Packers in 2022.
Naturally, some fans have called for the Packers to reunite with Douglas to solve their depth problems at the position, but Douglas doesn’t seem to think that will happen.
A fan recently tweeted at Douglas: “Yo @RasulEra no rush or anything but it’d be cool if you signed another contract with Green Bay soon.”
In response, Douglas popped the bubble: “Don’t think that will happen buddy.”
Rasul Douglas Could Help Packers, But …
On the surface, Douglas has experience that could help the Packers after they cut loose Alexander. They signed Nate Hobbs in free agency and return veteran Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine from their 2024 cornerback room, but the rest of the unit is filled with young and inexperienced players who must prove themselves ahead of 2025.
Then again, Douglas is not the same player that the Packers traded back in 2023.
When the Packers packaged Douglas and a 2024 fifth-round pick in a deal for the Bills’ 2024 third-round pick (used to select linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper), they admitted that they “weren’t looking” to move him and only did so because of Buffalo’s strong offer. He had grown into a reliable starter for their defense, and they sorely missed his presence in the weeks that followed due to injuries to Alexander and first-rounder Eric Stokes.
Douglas’ reliability in coverage started to wane for the Bills in 2024, though. He allowed an opposing completion percentage of 72.8% (43 receptions on 59 targets) and gave up 518 yards and four touchdowns in 15 regular-season starts for the Bills’ secondary. He also allowed an opposing passer rating of 123.6 in three starts during the postseason.
Moreover, the Packers are not keen on bringing back players once they have moved on. They did so with wide receiver Randall Cobb in 2021 at the behest of Aaron Rodgers, but none of the current player leaders seem likely to wield their standing to get Douglas re-signed. Even if they do wish to add a cornerback, they might be able to find better.
Will Packers Add Another CB After Cutting Jaire Alexander?
Douglas is seemingly out of the cards for the Packers, but they will have options if they go hunting for a veteran cornerback to add to their roster before the start of camp.
The Packers have projected confidence in their current cornerback room — which also uses safety Javon Bullard as its primary slot cornerback — but they have $35.5 million in cap space and could stand to use some of it on a veteran who improves competition for depth spots and pushes Kalen King, Bo Melton and rookie Micah Robinson.
One option the Packers could consider is Astante Samuel Jr. He is the top young corner on the market at just 26 years old, but he carries significant injury risk after missing most of the 2024 season with injuries and undergoing neck surgery in April. Even still, the Packers could sign him and make him earn it if they feel good about his medicals.
Other options in the over-30 category include Kendall Fuller, Stephon Gilmore and Mike Hilton, but it is unclear if any of the three are holding out for opportunities to compete for starting jobs. The Packers could consider their favorite of the bunch, so long as he is willing to play a rotational role if he doesn’t outright steal away a job.
