Packers are giving Kevin King a chance to make up for NFC Championship Game
The Packers aren’t ready to give up on Kevin King. Green Bay is giving him one more season to prove he’s worthy of being their starting cornerback.
Kevin King was a major liability for the Packers’ defense during the 2020 season. His performance in the playoffs was especially concerning for fans in Green Bay. Nonetheless, he’s coming back for at least one more season.
The silver lining for Packers fans who might be upset with the signing is that it only commits to King for one more year. The $6 million salary isn’t insignificant, but it’s clearly within Green Bay’s current price range. At the very least, it prevents the franchise from heading into April’s Draft with an obvious need to take a cornerback in the early rounds.
Then again, there’s an argument to be made that replacing a defensive back who only mustered a PFF grade of 55.7 last season is still a glaring need for the Packers. They can’t afford for King to suffer through a similar 2021 campaign if they want to give Aaron Rodgers another chance to bring a Super Bowl title back to fans in Green Bay.
The #Packers are re-signing CB Kevin King to a one-year, $6 million deal, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 23, 2021
The likely explanation for this signing is that the Packers want to hedge their bets at corner. King has the tools to be successful in the NFL, but he hasn’t managed to fulfill his potential in Green Bay. It seems that the franchise believes it’s too soon to completely cut ties with the former second round pick.
It still makes sense for the team’s front office to bring in another cornerback via the draft to compete with King. If he plays poorly, they can move on from him and give a rookie a solid chance to replace him. Remember, if King plays really well then the Packers might face a challenge to retain him in free agency next year. Having a readymade replacement already on the roster would be solid future-proofing by Green Bay’s front office.
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No matter what, Packers fans should prepare to see King line up as their Week 1 starter at corner. It’s likely a make or break season for him in Green Bay.