The Packers have one safety position down. They inked exciting, young free agent safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $68 million deal. He will take over for Darnell Savage, who signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars in free agency. Green Bay still has another problem, though. With Jonathan Owens also leaving in free agency for the Bears, Green Bay loses their starting strong safety from a season ago. They need help at that position.

One thing that they could do is bring back free agent safety Rudy Ford, who has spent the last two seasons with the Packers. Here is why they should explore that idea:

Familiarity 

Ford has become a quality defender while playing in Green Bay for the last few seasons. He has played in 30 games for Matt LaFleur and started in 15 of them on the backend. Last season, despite missing four games, he recorded a career-high in total tackles (71), solo tackles (47), and pass deflections (6). He also has played 160 total special teams snaps over the last two seasons.

The former Jaguar brings versatility and if GM Brian Gutekunst decided to bring him back on a one-year deal, he brings familiarity. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who has a long history coaching defensive backs, would no doubt have a plan for Ford if he returned to Green Bay.

Packers Could Draft A Safety Too

Re-signing Rudy Ford doesn’t mean he necessarily needs to be in Green Bay’s long-term defensive plans. What they could do is use a first or second-round pick on a talented defensive back like Iowa’s Cooper DeJean or Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin. Ford and one of those players could split time opposite of McKinney this upcoming season. Then, if Ford moves on after 2024, one of those prospects could take over.

If the Packers use some of that quarterback mentorship magic in the defensive backfield, they could be all the better for it. That is if they re-sign Ford.