Packers re-sign yet another cornerback.

Earlier this summer, the Green Bay Packers had the option of tendering cornerback Robert Rochell with a “first right of refusal” tag, which would have paid the restricted free agent $2.985 million and prevented the defensive back from entering unrestricted free agency. Instead, the Packers chose not to tender Rochell and have already re-signed the cornerback, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Assuming the Packers are functioning reasonably, Rochell’s 2024 compensation should fall below $2.985 million for the season, based on their previous behavior. Rochell’s signing offers even more depth to a cornerback corps that appeared depleted entering the summer.

Since unrestricted free agency began a week ago, the Packers have retained three of their own cornerbacks: Rochell, Keisean Nixon, and Corey Ballentine. Nixon obtained a three-year extension that increased his annual compensation by roughly $2 million, while Ballentine resigned on a one-year contract that doubled his 2023 salary. At this time, I believe it is fair to assume that Green Bay intends to return to the position in 2024.

Currently, it appears that Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine will compete for the starting outside cornerback spot opposite Jaire Alexander, with Nixon playing in the slot. From there, Ballentine is a reserve outside cornerback and special teams contributor, a job that Rochell will also play.

After being acquired from the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad last season, Rochell appeared in nine games for the Packers, tallying 112 special teams snaps but never playing defense. Rochell only played 26 defensive snaps in 2022 with the Los Angeles Rams, compared to 325 special teams snaps, indicating that the NFL considers him a special teams player.

Rochell was not the Packers’ lone restricted free agent in the 2024 cycle. Patrick Taylor, a pass-protecting running back who also played on special teams, was another option Green Bay may have considered. He is now an unrestricted free agent who has not been reported to have signed with another organization. At the time, there is no word on whether he will be brought back to the organization on a deal smaller than the almost $3 million tender that the Packers had the option of placing on him earlier this summer.