The Packers claimed Justin Hollins off waivers midway through the 2022 season, and his play upon arrival has earned him an extended stay in Green Bay. Per a team announcement, the veteran pass-rusher has re-signed on a new deal in Green Bay.
Hollins, 27, was a draftee of the Broncos but spent his only rookie campaign in Denver. He was waived ahead of the 2020 season and claimed by the Rams, with whom he took on an incrementally larger role in each season. Hollins registered seven starts across 34 games in Los Angeles, including two starts during their Super Bowl-winning season. He worked his way up to a 50% snap share in his 10 games in 2022.
The former fifth-rounder notched only one sack in that span, however, leading the Rams to waive him in November amid their general struggles in the pass-rushing department. No player outside of Leonard Floyd managed to record more than one sack for the Rams’ edge-rushers, so the position figures to be a position of interest in the secondary waves of free agency and the draft.
With the Packers, Hollins saw a lesser role in six games compared to his workload with the Rams earlier in the year. He was more productive in Green Bay, though, notching 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss. He added nine total tackles and four QB hits, numbers that will earn him a full season with the team in 2023.
The Oregon product will look to maintain a rotational role among the Packers edge-rushers next season. Green Bay has Rashan Gary and Preston Smith at the top of the depth chart, but the former suffered an ACL tear in November. Hollins could serve as an insurance policy if Gary is unable to return in time for Week 1, and provide a depth option for the team when he is available moving forward.
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