He should’ve made the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster a year ago.

After a year away with the Baltimore Ravens, linebacker Kristian Welch returned to Green Bay this offseason, and once again, he put in a preseason performance deserving of a roster spot. Welch grew up dreaming of playing for the Packers, and he belongs on this team.

However, his future is in the hands of Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur. If Isaiah Simmons’ performance in the preseason finale is any indication, Welch may barely miss out again.

Packers roster spot is no longer guaranteed for Kristian Welch (but it should be)

Welch may not have produced the same number of splash plays in this year’s preseason compared to the last (he forced three turnovers last summer), but he provided steady, consistent play. Crucially, he can play a role on special teams.

But that’s where Simmons may make the team ahead of him.

The former first-round pick has seemingly carved out a fourth-down role, using his elite athleticism to his advantage. Simmons also did just enough defensively to tempt the Packers into keeping him on their initial 53-man roster. He produced a team-best seven solo tackles, while PFF credited him with four stops, another team-high.

Simmons has made plays on the practice field but, until this game, had failed to translate that into preseason success.

“Some good flashes today for Isaiah Simmons. Packers obviously love him on special teams. I’m thinking he makes it,” writes Zach Kruse of Packers Wire.

It’s hard to disagree with Kruse’s assessment, and he’s not alone in believing Simmons may have stolen the final linebacker spot at the last preseason hurdle.

“Yeah, Isaiah Simmons is making this team over Welch,” predicts Wendell Ferreira of A to Z Sports.

Is it the right decision? That’s another question entirely. Simmons might have the athleticism to make a few wow plays, including a goal-line stop against Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens last week. But there were also the missed tackles and the struggles in coverage — Simmons gave up nine completions on 11 attempts in the opening two contests (per PFF).

Welch provides solid play. He made four tackles, including a tackle for loss, against the Seahawks. He offers crucial depth on defense and can contribute on special teams.

It leaves Welch and Simmons battling for one spot. Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, and preseason standout Ty’Ron Hopper make up the top four, likely only leaving one vacancy.

Like last year, Welch has done enough to make the roster.

For two preseason games, the job looked his. However, Simmons’ performance in the finale might create another frustrating cutdown-day moment for Packers fans.

Not because they don’t fully support Simmons making the 53, but because Welch deserves his opportunity.