Rasul Douglas to return to Packers on three year deal
The surprise star of Green Bay's 2021 defense stays in the fold.
By PackerAaron
Sources: The #Packers have agreed to terms with veteran DB Rasul Douglas, giving him a 3-year deal. He cashes in on his playmaking season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2022
Initial reports indicate it's a 3 year deal worth $21M, up to $25.5M max. (I'd guess the details will reveal a natural out for the Packers after two years)
Douglas burst onto the scene in Green Bay last year after being plucked off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.
The veteran corner racked up five interceptions including two pick-sixes in back-to-back weeks during his first season in the Green and Gold. He also forced a fumble.
Douglas was drafted by the Eagles in 2017 and was part of the team that won Super Bowl LII. He spent the 2020 season with Carolina.
Now, he will be part of an exciting young secondary in Green Bay along with Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes.
RASSSUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLL DOUGLAS IS BACK 🙌 pic.twitter.com/vFYUHojRVk
— Big B (@bigpackers4x) March 19, 2022
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Comments (69)
Irish_Cheesehead
March 19, 2022 at 04:17 pm
Awesome news! Can't have too many good CBs!
KenEllis
March 19, 2022 at 04:21 pm
Are the Packers turning into a defense-first team before our eyes?
Other than Lowry and Barnes, every projected starter is better than average and those 2 are not awful.
And this is before Gutey hopefully adds another talented player or two in the first 2 rounds of the upcoming draft.
The Pack has not had a top 10 scoring defense since 2010.
I think that changes in 2022.
MarkinMadison
March 19, 2022 at 05:45 pm
Wait until after the draft to see.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 19, 2022 at 06:15 pm
I think you should reexamine how you feel about Lowry. He low-key had a damn good season last year and appears to be in his prime. Definitely better than average which is why they kept him even tho they couldve saved like $7 mil by cutting him.
LLCHESTY
March 19, 2022 at 06:46 pm
One good season in three makes him better than average? He's a very average 3-4 DE that doesn't do much at all playing 3T in the sub package looks. Hopefully they find a decent rookie to play next to Clark on 2nd and 3rd and longs.
jannesbjornson
March 19, 2022 at 06:52 pm
He is a good pass rush four- five tech, but is usually on skates in the running game. I would love to see Wyatt next to Clark.
PeteK
March 20, 2022 at 09:08 am
Rasul the ghoul fangul is back. Veteran WR and DT and on to the 11 draftees. The way to the SB will be littered with sad offensive players of opposing team !!!!
Ya_tittle
March 19, 2022 at 04:19 pm
STOKED that he's back!
PhantomII
March 19, 2022 at 04:32 pm
Douglas had a very impactful season for us. 2-pick sixes, WOW!!! it has been a very long time for an instinctive, opportunistic CB come thru for us and actually makes the pick. Good signing.....Hopefully, he keeps up the good work.
Savage57
March 20, 2022 at 05:32 am
I like having a guy at the third level who gets that part of his job is making QB's pay for not doing theirs.
Is there a more soul-stealing play for a defense to make than a pick 6?
LambeauPlain
March 19, 2022 at 05:16 pm
Douglas was like hitting on a top draft pick in the draft. Gutey and his scouts really rang the bell with Douglas and Campbell...two FAs that transformed the D.
Now, go and get some early DL, Edge help...maybe even a S with 3 of the first 5 picks. Use the other two for WR and OL. Or a TE if they drop down the board. There are some nice TE prospects.
I would even trade one of the first rounders (get another 2nd and a 3rd) and then maybe even one of the 3 seconds and get two more early picks (3rd and early 4th) and go shopping.
I will be a happy man if this transpires.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 19, 2022 at 06:18 pm
I wouldnt be mad if they took Dax Hill in the 1st round. They do a lot of 3-safety sets plus Amos is likely in his last year in GB so getting his replacement a year early makes a ton of sense.
jannesbjornson
March 20, 2022 at 10:21 am
Make a free agent deal with the Honey Badger and they may see a Lombardi.
WestWi_Packfan
March 19, 2022 at 04:41 pm
He seems to have good instincts and a style similar to Charles Woodson, hopefully he can increase his INT numbers with a full season.
HawkPacker
March 19, 2022 at 04:42 pm
I love what is being done to the defense. These are exciting times to be a packer fan.
We have an exciting draft coming and I would be really surprised if we don't sign a FA WR as well.
HawkPacker
March 19, 2022 at 05:02 pm
Let's get Jaire extended so we have more Cap room and get the WR needed.
MarkinMadison
March 19, 2022 at 05:47 pm
Great point. With all of the other cap manipulations happening, I'm surprised that an extension for Alexander wasn't further up the list. Makes you wonder if the Packers will have a hard time signing him.
egbertsouse
March 19, 2022 at 04:48 pm
Meh….. Apparently, I’m not as high on him as the rest of the world. They only had 12 games to evaluate him which is a very short window. And he is a freelancer, with big plays every so often followed by a number where he is out of position. He doesn’t have the speed to recover once he gets out of position. I hope he works out and isn’t just a one-year wonder.
NickPerry
March 19, 2022 at 05:45 pm
Excuse me but does it rain and is it cold and cloudy EVERY day at your house?
No offense friend but I can't recall anything positive being posted from you, at least for quite some time.
This IS good news. Please NAME a secondary that is better than the Packers starting secondary right now?
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 19, 2022 at 06:22 pm
Stop getting butthurt. The guy gave an honest, emotion-free assessment of a career journeyman player who was on a practice squad 6 months ago. Did he play well? Yes. But like OP said, he gave up a lot of plays too. Why does this invoke an emotional response from you?
NickPerry
March 20, 2022 at 02:49 am
And yet you've assumed I'm "Butthurt" over what he said and suggested my response was emotional. If you actually feel it was a personal attack, then I do apologize.
I think it was pretty obvious I was joking and people who know me here KNOW I don't attack people or make personal attacks on people here. I've made 5891 comments here over a period of 10 years, probably longer, so I'm assuming you're newer here considering you've made just 125 and maybe weren't aware of that.
No matter, welcome to CHTV RTS...
Alberta_Packer
March 19, 2022 at 09:28 pm
In horse racing there is the bounce theory - when a horse regresses off an unusually big effort. There will be analysts who may see Douglas's play with the Packers as "an unusually big effort" - that could very well be followed by a bounce or regression. Of course we all hope that it is not so but we should not dismiss the possibility of it happening.
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 05:17 pm
Do we know what his '22 cap number is yet?
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 05:49 pm
No.
Bure9620
March 20, 2022 at 10:49 am
Wow 5 downvotes for a question
Gman1976
March 19, 2022 at 05:20 pm
One of the things that impressed me about Rasul was how he was a solid tackler last year (like Campbell). Now we have an excellent group of starting CBs! GPG!
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 07:16 pm
I agree. I’m hoping he moves inside in the Sullivan role where his size, tackling and instincts will be very useful and his lack of long speed minimized.
splitpea1
March 19, 2022 at 05:33 pm
That's quite a raise Mr. Douglas just received....There's nothing like having three good CBs, so I'm glad we retained him. It gives us more flexibility in the draft as well, as we shouldn't need to spend another premium pick at this position.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 05:50 pm
Packers re-signed Bob Tonyan to a one-year deal with a void year per Tom Silverstein. Dollars and cap number are not known yet.
The_Baloney_Stops_Here
March 19, 2022 at 06:23 pm
Any update on how his recovery is going?
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 06:38 pm
Tom Silverstein's tweet:
"Packers have agreed to a one-year deal with TE Robert Tonyan. Includes a voidable year."
No other info. Not a fan of reports that a player is ahead of schedule. In my experience, they mean absolutely nothing.
Alberta_Packer
March 19, 2022 at 07:41 pm
Yes - about "ahead of schedule."The only meaningful information on a player's recovery is if they have experienced a setback or complication.
LLCHESTY
March 19, 2022 at 06:51 pm
That's a little worrisome that they gave him enough to feel like they needed to add a void year to the deal. Hopefully not a Kevin King like overpay for a guy that could miss half the year.
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 07:18 pm
I’m not surprised if a little reserved about how healthy he will be and when. If the price is good then it makes sense. He knows the system and contributes.
Gman1976
March 19, 2022 at 07:27 pm
What a day! We resigned 2 important chess pieces. Thanks for the news.
egbertsouse
March 20, 2022 at 07:26 am
Another bad signing. I don’t really mind that he signed Douglas and Tonyan but he should have waited a couple weeks for the price to go down. According to what I read nobody was chasing these guys but Gute. Why pay premium for a guy with a damaged knee and a guy who was good in a few games?
HankScorpio
March 19, 2022 at 05:52 pm
This is a very good signing. They are whittling down the losses and needs. Sullivan chewed up a bunch of snaps but hopefully Jaire is healthy enough to consume them. Somebody still has to pick up the snaps King took, about 28%. But CB is scratched off the list of big-time concerns for me now. The Packers are not quite to re-couping all their defensive losses. But they're close enough.
PatrickGB
March 19, 2022 at 05:53 pm
I am happy he is back. Yet I wonder if his play was a bit of overachieving fluke. I sure hope not. It’s nuts that he was available last year and I am glad for it.
jannesbjornson
March 19, 2022 at 06:56 pm
He studied and put himself in position to make plays--a pro.
NickPerry
March 19, 2022 at 05:55 pm
This signing gives the Packers SO MUCH versatility in the secondary!
The Packers can play Stokes and Douglas outside and move Alexander into the slot giving the the best threesome of CB's in the NFL IMO. They could even move Savage down in the slot around the LOS and play Douglas back as a Safety. Bottom line is this is a hell of a secondary, a hell of a versatile group, and I challenge anyone to name a better starting group than Alexander, Stokes, Douglas, Savage, and Adrian "Smash" Amos.
Coldworld
March 19, 2022 at 07:21 pm
I’d rather see Douglas in the slot and keep Jaire where he’s a lick down corner and Douglas where tackling is key. If’s prefer Savage deep too. Douglas is bigger than both and lacks the long speed of either.
BirdDogUni
March 20, 2022 at 11:02 am
"lick down corner..."
Slip of he tongue? Lol
Starrbrite
March 20, 2022 at 04:40 pm
NickPerry—I’m with you on Alexander in the Slot. Coldworld and Since’61 like him at CB—-either way we’re in good shape.
Since'61
March 19, 2022 at 06:25 pm
Solid move to bring back Douglas. Keeps our defense solid. We need a DL and an LB. Wouldn't hurt to draft a Safety with speed. Thanks, Since '61
Thegreatreynoldo
March 19, 2022 at 06:42 pm
Well, I've got to get back to work. Packers probably are almost out of money with the signings of Douglas and Tonyan. Could get some more from Alexander, Lowry, Crosby and Lewis. Lewis has a $2M roster bonus due Sunday. Surely they won't pay that without restructuring it? Not tons of money but still.
Edit: I've seen photos of Mr. Lewis: rest assured, I won't be calling him Shirley.
MainePackFan
March 19, 2022 at 07:33 pm
Your showing your age TGR :)
dobber
March 19, 2022 at 07:52 pm
Age? Nah, just an appreciation for Leslie Nielsen movies.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 21, 2022 at 01:28 am
Could be both.
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 07:42 pm
They essentially need to sign Jaire soon now, an extension saves another $10 mil on this year's cap
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 07:42 pm
They essentially need to sign Jaire soon now, an extension saves another $10 mil on this year's cap
BirdDogUni
March 19, 2022 at 07:30 pm
This is wicked good news. He seems like a great kid and he claims he just wants to work hard to get better.
Wonder if Gutey will draft another CB rather high, making CB even more of a strength? I can't imagine he'd pass on a good CB if he was BPA. I also wonder if Gutey is considering a Safety? Be awesome if we did. Maybe Sterling Weatherford in the 4th or 5th? 6' 4" 215 LBS - Would love to have a big versatile guy on the back end.
I can't imagine we'd have 11 picks and Gutey not take a CB and S. (Unless he trades a bunch of picks away?) Sure hope he doesn't!
stockholder
March 19, 2022 at 08:57 pm
If Alexander wants to be the highest paid CB. Tag coming.
Bure9620
March 19, 2022 at 10:04 pm
He is entering year 4, why tag him?
Shinesman
March 19, 2022 at 11:48 pm
Let's hope they use that capital to move around and up. Having 6 picks in the first 4 rounds is better than 11 all together. They could really solidify the team with some decent high picks at DL, WR, LB and OL.
BirdDogUni
March 20, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Sorry to disagree, but crap like that gets you Jason Spriggs. Be patient. Let the board sort itself out, and draft BPA.
I don't care if they draft BPA at a need position, or BPA according to our scheme, but draft BPA.
Gman1976
March 19, 2022 at 07:31 pm
I don’t know if we could afford it, but I’d love to have King as a reserve.
BirdDogUni
March 20, 2022 at 12:57 pm
King didn't lose the NFCCG for us this year and he didn't play terrible, but I would rather draft a guy in the 2nd round or later if you're really worried about our depth. Draft a guy who in a couple years might be a starting CB. Turnover is a thing.
stockholder
March 19, 2022 at 08:53 pm
I thought Gutey did nothing but watch cartoons on Saturday. First Douglass now Tonyan. DeVante Adams posted a very nice message. No bridges burned ? No burr in his saddle? Amazing!
Starrbrite
March 19, 2022 at 11:26 pm
This was a good move, enabled by the trade of Davante.
We now have options with our defensive scheme and additional flexibility in the draft.
I’m with those who have suggested we take a safety somewhere within the draft.
My first pick however is a defensive lineman/edge rusher.
stockholder
March 20, 2022 at 01:19 pm
Wolf would sign FAs for the DL. Forget the trade for a second. Wouldn't we have drafted a WR to replace Adams first?
Starrbrite
March 20, 2022 at 04:30 pm
Good points stockholder.
I’m all for signing a DL—-Hicks wud be a good choice.
As for WR, we perhaps have the best track record in the NFL for developing WR’s—we haven’t drafted a WR above #2 forever. If we take a WR at #1–I’m good with that too.
Shinesman
March 19, 2022 at 11:45 pm
This gives us JA, Stokes, and Douglas at CB. Savage and Amos at safety. Devondre in the middle. Gary and Smith outside. And big Kenny in at nose. 1 other real DL and this team becomes the best defense in football.
PackEyedOptimist
March 20, 2022 at 08:22 am
It's a shame there won't be a great DL available for the Packers. The prospects this year for "5 technique" are pretty terrible. :-(
Honestly, I think one of the top ILBs in this draft, to play alongside Campbell, might improve the defense more than a "decent" rookie DL. I'd love to get both Muma and Chenal-- Muma for coverage and Chenal for replacing the Z Smith role.
stockholder
March 20, 2022 at 01:21 pm
Second Round? I could see it.
Starrbrite
March 20, 2022 at 04:33 pm
I don’t disagree PackEyedOptimist. That is why I wanted badly to sign Wagner. A draft pick is good too —and likely cheaper.
Starrbrite
March 20, 2022 at 04:30 pm
I’m with you Shinesman.
PackEyedOptimist
March 20, 2022 at 08:17 am
Resigning Campbell AND Douglas is scientific proof that "crossing your fingers" works. :-D
PatrickGB
March 20, 2022 at 09:42 am
I hope that Douglas can come close to repeating last year’s performance. Teams now have film on him and will be more wary. I agree with other posters that feel that another good D lineman would bring our defense into a top tier squad.
Starrbrite
March 20, 2022 at 04:35 pm
What about adding Hicks PatrickGB?