Isaiah Simmons: What happened to| Draft pick| Contract

Introduction

Isaiah Simmons entered the NFL as one of the most physically gifted and versatile prospects in years. A hybrid linebacker-safety from Clemson, his early promise drew major attention—but his pro career hasn’t gone as smoothly as expected. In 2025, the Green Bay Packers released him, signaling another pivotal moment in his story. Let’s unpack his journey: his draft origins, contract evolution, and what led to him being cut.

1. The Draft: From College Star to Top-10 Pick

In the 2020 NFL Draft, Isaiah Simmons was selected 8th overall by the Arizona Cardinals after a decorated college career at Clemson. At Clemson, he was a unanimous All-American, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and winner of the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker.

During the pre-draft process, Simmons put up extraordinary numbers—like a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical leap—highlighting his rare blend of speed and size for a linebacker.

2. Early NFL Career & Positional Challenges

Arizona Cardinals (2020–2022)

Simmons’ NFL career began with promise. In 2020, he made the PFWA All-Rookie Team, recording 54 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and earning praise for his athleticism.

In 2021, Simmons started all 17 games, posting 105 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 7 passes defended Wikipedia.

But his performance in 2022 saw a shift. Although he still amassed 99 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions, coaches struggled to fit him into a defined NFL position—his celebrated versatility began to become a curse.

New York Giants (2023–2024)

The Cardinals declined his fifth-year option in May 2023, making him a free agent by the 2024 offseason. Before that, Simmons was traded to the New York Giants in August 2023 for a 2024 seventh-round pick.

With the Giants, Simmons saw limited production. In 2023, he played in all 17 games but only started 4, adding 50 tackles and one interception returned for a touchdown.

In 2024, he again played all games but started just once and featured in only ~17% of defensive snaps, tallying 21 tackles and one forced fumble. He also made a splash on special teams by blocking a potential game-tying field goal against Seattle, earning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

3. Green Bay Packers & the Release in 2025

Signing with Green Bay

On April 29, 2025, Simmons signed a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers. The move came after a visit and a cheeky social media hint (a mouse trap with cheese).

The Packers hoped his versatility would bolster their defense, aligning with coach Jeff Hafley’s adaptive schemes.

Contract Details

His Westac reigning contract with Green Bay was reported as:

• Base salary: ~$1.17 million

• Signing bonus/guarantee: $167,500

• Cap charge: $1,197,500 (reduced via veteran salary benefit provision).

That signing bonus became dead money for the Packers after his release.

The Release

On August 26, 2025, the Packers released Simmons during the final roster cuts ahead of the regular season.

His struggles to adapt to a full-time linebacker role were evident, despite showing flashes of promise in preseason. Reports cited inconsistent play, especially in coverage, and a perceived inability to settle into a defined position.

Despite logging the second-most defensive snaps in preseason, Pro Football Focus rated him 154th out of 157 linebackers with at least 30 preseason defensive snaps.

4. Contract Journey: A Summary

Let’s break down Simmons’ contracts and earnings over his NFL tenure.

According to OverTheCap, his career earnings stand at $22,831,554, with total guarantees of $42,920,608.

5. What Happened? Factors Behind His Career Arc

Despite the tantalizing athletic profile that made him a top-10 pick, Simmons’ NFL career has been marked by one key struggle: finding a consistent positional role.

• In Arizona, his versatility was an asset, but without a defined role, he became a “jack of all trades, master of none”.

• In New York, his defensive usage decreased he became more of a rotational or special teams piece despite being healthy and active.

• With the Packers, coaches hoped for a return to a linebacker role. However, inconsistent preseason performances and a crowded linebacker room sealed his fate.

One telling stat: In preseason, among linebackers with 30+ snaps, PFF ranked him 154th of 157 players, highlighting how his play failed to meet expectations.

6. What’s Next for Isaiah Simmons?

As of August 2025, Simmons becomes a free agent again—his fourth team in six NFL seasons.

For a player with such rare physical traits—a 6’4″, 238-lb frame, elite speed, and experience in multiple roles—teams may still be intrigued. Yet, the fundamental question remains: Can he settle into a defined role? If not, he risks being remembered as a squandered talent rather than the versatile defensive weapon scouts envisioned.

Conclusion

Isaiah Simmons’ journey from top-10 draft pick to free-agent drop in under six years encapsulates a central challenge in modern football: versatility must be matched by consistency and fit.

• Drafted 8th overall in 2020 by the Cardinals due to his elite physical traits.

• Struggled to carve a consistent role across three teams (Cardinals, Giants, Packers).

• Signed modest veteran deals in 2024 and 2025—ultimately released by Green Bay.

• Despite versatility, inability to anchor at linebacker or another specific role led to limited snaps and eventual cut.

Only time will tell if another team can unlock the potential that once made Simmons a can’t-miss prospect.