FORMER AUBURN DEFENSIVE BACK JAYLIN SIMPSON GETS NEW CHANCE WITH GREEN BAY PACKERS AFTER SEASON OF UPS AND DOWNS

It’s been a season of waiting and watching for Jaylin Simpson, the former Auburn Tigers defensive back, who has yet to make his official debut in the NFL. Simpson, who has been eligible to play in five regular-season games, has spent much of the 2025 season bouncing between practice squads and active rosters. However, after months of uncertainty, Simpson is now getting another opportunity to show what he can do at the highest level of football.

On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers made a significant move, announcing that they had signed Simpson from their practice squad to their 53-man active roster. This announcement comes just days after the Packers placed cornerback Kamal Hadden on injured reserve. The decision to elevate Simpson was likely spurred by Hadden’s season-ending ankle injury sustained in the Packers’ 41-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday night. Hadden had been a key contributor to the Packers’ defense and special teams, playing 37 defensive snaps and 66 special-teams snaps over the course of 10 games in 2025 before the injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season.

Simpson will now have the chance to make his NFL debut when the Packers face off against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday at noon CST. It’s a high-stakes game for both teams, and Simpson’s involvement could add an exciting layer to Green Bay’s defensive strategies as they look to finish strong.

THE ROAD TO THE PACKERS’ ACTIVE ROSTER

Simpson’s journey to the Packers’ 53-man roster has been anything but conventional. After being signed by Green Bay on August 18, Simpson was waived during the roster reduction between the preseason and the regular season. Despite being cut, the Packers saw enough potential to bring him onto their practice squad, where he spent the first part of the season.

In late November, Simpson was elevated for the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. However, despite being promoted to active status for the game, Simpson did not see any action on the field during the 31-24 Packers victory. While it was a positive step for Simpson to make the game-day roster, he had to continue to wait for a true opportunity to showcase his talents.

SIMPSOM’S NFL JOURNEY: A SERIES OF UPS AND DOWNS

Before his time with Green Bay, Simpson’s path to the NFL was filled with twists and turns. A fifth-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2024, Simpson was initially signed to their practice squad, where he spent the early part of his rookie season. However, his career took another turn when the New York Jets signed him on December 11, 2024, where he spent the remainder of the season on their active roster. Despite being on the roster, Simpson did not appear in any games for the Jets, leaving many to wonder when his big break would come.

Simpson’s next challenge came in August 2025 when he suffered a hamstring injury during training camp with the Jets. The injury forced Simpson to revert to the Jets’ injured reserve list, and he was waived shortly after, with an injury settlement that cleared him off the roster on August 6.

The turbulence in Simpson’s early NFL career made it uncertain where his next opportunity would come from. But just a few months later, Simpson found a new home in Green Bay, where he now finds himself in a position to make a significant impact.

FROM CORNERBACK TO SAFETY: SIMPSON’S POSITION FLEXIBILITY

Simpson’s football journey has been defined by versatility. After starting his college career as a cornerback at Auburn University, Simpson made a smooth transition to safety in 2023, showcasing his ability to adapt to different defensive roles. With Green Bay listing him as a defensive back, it’s clear that Simpson’s ability to play multiple positions in the secondary gives him valuable flexibility, especially as the Packers look to bolster their defensive depth in the wake of Hadden’s injury.

During his time at Auburn, Simpson’s potential was evident, and his skill set made him a standout player for the Tigers. His combination of athleticism, football IQ, and versatility made him a promising prospect for the NFL. Now, as he enters his first opportunity on a 53-man roster, it’s clear that his experience as both a cornerback and safety could be key in providing depth for the Packers’ defensive backfield.

AUBURN CONNECTION: FORMER TEAMMATE MARCUS HARRIS JOINS THE NFL

As if Simpson’s rise wasn’t notable enough, another former Auburn teammate of his recently returned to the NFL. Marcus Harris, a former defensive tackle for the Tigers, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad on Tuesday. Harris’ journey mirrors that of Simpson, marked by several stops around the league before finally landing on a roster.

Harris began the year with the New England Patriots on January 6 but was released in late April. He quickly moved on to the Buffalo Bills, where he was waived after the preseason roster cuts. The defensive tackle spent much of the season bouncing between teams and practice squads until he was signed by the Houston Texans in December, only to be waived shortly after. Now with Kansas City, Harris is hoping to make a mark on yet another team and carve out his place in the NFL.

PACKERS VERSUS VIKINGS: A HIGH-STAKES RIVALRY

Looking ahead, Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the week. For the Packers, this game represents an opportunity to solidify their playoff hopes while also getting a chance to see how players like Jaylin Simpson can contribute in real-game situations.

As the season winds down, every game matters more, and for Simpson, this is his moment to prove he belongs. With Hadden sidelined and Simpson now getting a chance to play a prominent role, the Packers will be hoping for a standout performance from their newly elevated defensive back.

THE FUTURE: CAN SIMPSON MAKE AN IMPACT?

The road to NFL stardom is rarely linear, and Jaylin Simpson’s journey has been a testament to that. After a series of setbacks and obstacles, Simpson is now poised to take advantage of his opportunity with the Green Bay Packers. Whether or not he can make an immediate impact remains to be seen, but the chance to play in an important game against a rival like the Vikings gives him the perfect stage to prove himself.

As the Packers’ secondary looks to adjust in the wake of Hadden’s injury, Simpson’s versatility and potential could become key assets for Green Bay as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. With a performance on Sunday, Simpson may just secure his spot in the Packers’ long-term plans and begin to write the next chapter of his NFL story.