GREEN BAY, Wis. -- It should surprise no one that the Green Bay Packers have been in contact with free-agent cornerback Davon House.
It makes perfect sense.
The question now is can they strike a deal?
There's mutual interest, which is always a good start. Unlike most free agents at this time of the year, House is able to sign right away because he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Neither side has to wait until free agency opens on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.
Some might say the Packers erred when they let House leave in free agency two years ago when he signed a four-year, $24.5 million contract that included $10 million guaranteed. That same offseason, they let fellow cornerback Tramon Williams sign with the Cleveland Browns. While the Packers netted two compensatory picks last year, they're still in a bind at cornerback.
Last season, the Packers played primarily with a trio of second-year corners -- Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and LaDarius Gunter -- after Sam Shields was lost for the season Week 1 when he sustained a concussion that ultimately ended his career in Green Bay. Coordinator Dom Capers' defense finished 31st in the NFL in passing yards allowed.
Although the Packers are still high on their young trio, they could use a veteran presence now that Shields has been released. By signing House, it would take some pressure off general manager Ted Thompson to have to find a cornerback who could play right away in the draft.
Sure, House struggled last season in Jacksonville and was benched after four games, but he did have a strong season in 2015 when he set a single-season franchise record with 23 pass breakups. What's more, House is still relatively young -- he doesn't turn 28 until July 10 -- and the same coaching staff that worked with him in Green Bay from 2011-14 remains intact.
