Jonathan Ford
Getty
The Packers have re-signed defensive lineman Jonathan Ford to a one-year contract in free agency
The Green Bay Packers have been aggressive in turning their roster over to begin the 2025 campaign. Big names like cornerback Nate Hobbs, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, and quarterback Malik Willis are no longer on the team, but the front office has responded by signing several notable free agents.
Of course, the Packers want to keep some of their own players in town, with one of the more underrated players in their free agent class being defensive lineman Jonathan Ford. After stealing him from the Chicago Bears late in the 2025 campaign, Green Bay has managed to find a way to keep Ford around for at least one more season.
Packers Re-Sign Jonathan Ford to 1-Year Contract
Jeremy Fowler
DL Jonathan Ford is headed back to the Packers, the original team that drafted him, on a new deal, per source. He was with Green Bay in 2025.
Ford was initially selected by the Packers in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent the first two years of his career on the team’s practice squad before he eventually got signed to the Bears’ roster late in the 2024 campaign. Ford would make his NFL debut for Chicago shortly thereafter, racking up nine tackles, one of which went for a loss, in four total games.
In 2025, Ford initially began the year back on the Bears’ practice squad, but he would get promoted to the active roster late in October. Ford suited up for eight more games with Chicago, but his production was limited, as he racked up just four total tackles. At the end of December, the Bears tried to sneak Ford back onto their practice squad, but the Packers stole him on waivers.
After finishing the campaign with Green Bay, it seemed like there was a decent chance Ford would stick around with the team. That ended up being precisely what happened, as reports indicate that Ford has re-signed with the Packers on a one-year contract, which should give him a shot at cracking the team’s initial 53-man roster.
“DL Jonathan Ford is headed back to the Packers, the original team that drafted him, on a new deal, per source. He was with Green Bay in 2025,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported in a post on X.
Packers Reinforce Defensive Line Depth with Jonathan Ford Signing
Jonathan Ford
GettyThe Packers have re-signed defensive lineman Jonathan Ford to a one-year contract in free agency
Ford isn’t the flashiest free agent signing, which should come as much of a surprise, considering how he has just 15 total tackles to his name during his first four seasons in the league. However, he has showcased his potential during his limited time on the field, and with the Packers needing some more help along their defensive line, it made sense to bring him back to town on a cheap, team-friendly deal.
There’s no guarantee that Ford will make the initial 53-man roster, but he has found himself with a great opportunity to carve out a role for himself on Green Bay’s defense in 2026. There’s no doubt that the team will look to add some competition along the defensive line before training camp rolls around, but if Ford puts his best foot forward over the summer, this could wind up being a sneaky important move for the Packers.