The Green Bay Packers have focused on improving several roster positions over the past two seasons, and one significant success has been at the safety position. Once considered a major weakness, it has now become one of their strongest areas. Rookie Evan Williams and free agent Xavier McKinney are the highest-rated safeties in the NFL, combining for seven forced turnovers.
Williams has recorded an interception and a forced fumble, while McKinney leads the league with five interceptions.
Both safeties are performing exceptionally well. The last time Green Bay fans experienced above-average play from their safeties was in 2019 when Adrian Amos joined the team.
2019 marked a positive turning point for the Packers. The team bounced back from a 6-9-1 record in 2018 to finish 13-3 and reach the NFC Championship Game the following year. It was Matt LaFleur’s inaugural season as head coach, and the team bolstered its defense by adding significant free agents: Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Amos.
Amos quickly won over Packers fans with his hard-hitting play style, finishing his first season with 84 tackles, eight passes defended, and two interceptions. Rookie safety Darnell Savage also performed well that year, giving fans hope for a strong safety position moving forward.
However, things did not pan out as hoped. Both Amos and Savage faced increasing struggles over the next three seasons, and after the 2022 season, Green Bay chose to part ways with Amos. He spent the 2023 season with the New York Jets and Houston Texans.
After remaining unsigned throughout the summer and training camp, Amos was eventually picked up by the San Francisco 49ers. On Saturday, it was reported that he would be elevated from their practice squad for their Week Eight matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
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