Could Johnathan Baldwin Be the Packers Surprise Player at Training Camp This Year? #Packers #GoPackGo
Could Johnathan Baldwin Be the Packers Surprise Player at Training Camp This Year?Nearly every year at training camp, the Green Bay Packers have a player who seemingly comes out of nowhere and makes an unexpected run at a roster spot. They suddenly get the attention and affection of the fans and become the darling of training camp. Some past examples include Jake Kumerow, Jack Heflin, and Emanuel Wilson. These players don’t always make the 53-man roster and if they do, they don’t always become starters let alone stars, but they briefly become fan favorites for their surprising success in July and August and often make at least the practice squad. One player who established himself as a candidate to fill that role at this year’s camp is safety Johnathan Baldwin.
The Packers signed Baldwin as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2025 season. GM Brian Gutekunst gave Baldwin a guaranteed $115,000 signing bonus. While the UNLV alum didn’t make the initial 53-man roster, he did earn a spot on the practice squad.
Baldwin remained on the practice squad until the regular-season finale against the Vikings. He started that game and made seven total tackles. In the game, he played nearly every defensive snap and contributed on special teams as well.
Baldwin made a big during Thursday’s practice. Baldwin did a good job of reading the play and intercepted a Tyrod Taylor pass intended for wide receiver Isaiah Neyor. He made an impressive play to make the pick.
“On the pick, we were in man to man,” Baldwin told Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated after practice. “He ran a stick and I seen the ball and I just slipped it and made a play on it.”
New defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon made a move this season that may help Baldwin. In his final college campaign at UNLV, Baldwin played as the slot corner. He intercepted six passes that season. Last year, the Packers had him playing at traditional safety. Gannon has now returned Baldwin to the slot. He is currently second on the depth chart behind starter Javon Bullard.
“I played nickel my senior year of college, and that’s when I made my most plays,” Baldwin said. “I feel like I had my best year in my senior year of college. So, once they moved me to that position, I was very excited because that feels like home to me. Although I can still play safety, I just love nickel because it gives you an opportunity to make a lot more plays, you know what I mean? You’re close to the ball, a lot of man-to-man situations.”
Playing the slot in addition to safety and also seeing action on special teams gives Baldwin some of the versatility the Packers coaching staff loves when they construct their roster. The more a player can do, the more value the coaching staff feels he has.
“That’s obviously the goal [making the roster], you know what I mean?” Baldwin said. “I want to be an aspect on the defense, in special teams, obviously. But, yeah, that’s the goal.”
Baldwin will face tough competition to make the Packers roster. Safety may be the strongest position group on the team entering training camp. Xavier McKinney has been All Pro in each of the last two seasons while Evan Williams has played at a near Pro Bowl level in his second NFL season. Another strong season could get him to his first Pro Bowl this year. Then there’s Bullard, a natural safety who starts in the slot. That’s the role Baldwin wants to fill, even if he serves as Bullard’s backup this season. Kitan Oladapo gives the Packers depth and is likely to make the roster. That leaves perhaps one roster spot at safety up for grabs.
While he’s pleased with his strong start, Baldwin knows he has a long way to go to make the team. “It definitely boosts my confidence, but I got to do it again tomorrow, you know what I mean?” he explained. “One play don’t define me. So, as long as I’m being consistent and stacking days, that’s really all that matters.”
He’s off to a good start and could become the darling of this year’s training camp. But even if he doesn’t fill that role, Baldwin wants to make the team and take his NFL career to the next level this season.
Filed Under: FeaturedGil Martin
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NFL Categories: Green Bay PackersTags: Green Bay PackersJohnathan BaldwinJonathan GannonJavon BullardXavier McKinney
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