At long last, former Green Bay Packers safety Rudy Ford has a new home: According to Joe Person of The Athletic, Ford is signing with the Carolina Panthers.
Ford played in 30 games and made 15 starts for the Packers over the 2022 and 2023 season. He made 115 tackles, intercepted five passes, recovered two fumbles, forced one fumble and defended four passes. Ford was on the field for 1,068 defensive snaps and 160 special teams snaps while in Green Bay.
Signed as a special teamer, Ford emerged as a starting option at safety for Joe Barry. He started six games in 2022 and nine more in 2023.
In Carolina, Ford will join a safety group headlined by Jordan Fuller, a free-agent signing, and Xavier Woods. The Panthers defense is coordinated by Ejiro Evero, who runs a similar defensive system as Barry, the now former Packers coordinator.
Ford is 29 years old. He ended the 2023 season on injured reserve after injuring his hamstring in Week 17.
Ford battled injuries throughout his final season in Green Bay. He dealt with calf, biceps, back and hamstring injuries.
Ford signed a one-year deal to return to the Packers in 2023 but wasn’t retained after his contract expired. The Packers moved swiftly at safety, signing top free agent Xavier McKinney and using draft picks on Javon Bullard, Evan Williams and Kitan Oladapo.
Among the Packers free agents with expired or terminated contracts, only David Bakhtiari remains unsigned.
The Packers are not scheduled to play the Panthers in 2024.
