Former Green Bay Packers linebacker Rudy Ford finally has a fresh home: According to Joe Person from The AthleticFord signs with Carolina Panthers.
Ford played in 30 games and made 15 starts for the Packers in 2022 and 2023. He made 115 tackles, intercepted five passes, recovered two fumbles, forced one fumble and defended four passes. Ford saw action for 1,068 defensive snaps and 160 special assignments while in Green Bay.
Signed as a special teams player, Ford emerged as a starting option at safety for Joe Barry, starting six games in 2022 and nine more in 2023.
In Carolina, Ford will join a safeties group led by free agent Jordan Fuller and Xavier Woods. The Panthers’ defense is coordinated by Ejiro Evero, who runs a similar defensive system to Barry, the former Packers coordinator.
Ford, 29, finished the 2023 season on the injured reserve list after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 17.
Ford battled injuries throughout his final season in Green Bay, suffering calf, bicep, back and hamstring injuries.
Ford signed a one-year deal to return to the Packers in 2023 but was not retained after his contract expired. The Packers moved quickly at safety, signing top free agent Xavier McKinney and using draft picks on Javon Bullard, Evan Williams and Kitana Oladapo.
Of the Packers free agents whose contracts have expired or been terminated, only David Bakhtiari remains unsigned.
There is no Packers-Panthers game scheduled for 2024.
