The Packers’ newest defensive back, David Long Jr., is hoping to find a home in Green Bay
Kassidy HillGREEN BAY − The carousel in the Green Bay Packers secondary spun yet again this week as the club added cornerback David Long Jr., claiming him off waivers after the Carolina Panthers released him this week.
Long is the third defensive back − along with Robert Rochell and Kyu Blu Kelly − general manager Brian Gutekunst has added this season, plugging holes left by an injured Jaire Alexander and after trading Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills.
Here are four things to know about David Long Jr.
David Long Jr. is a California native, a Michigan man and a friend to many
Long is a Pasedena, California, native who played college ball at Michigan. He was drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, and has spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and, most recently, the Panthers.
“I’ve been in the league a little bit so you kind of know a little bit of everybody,” Long joked Thursday.
As such, he comes to the Packers locker room knowing at least a few of his new teammates.
“I went to school with (linebacker) Rashan Gary, we were the same recruiting class,” he said, “so I spent years with him at Michigan. (Offensive lineman) Jon Runyan as well. I was with (long snapper) Matt (Orzech), he was in L.A. as well, Super Bowl year. And I know Keisean Nixon, because he’s from the L.A. area. I'm from Pasadena, but I played school in Los Angeles.
“I talk to Robert Rochell often. So I was speaking with him when I was in Vegas, when I was in Carolina. So when that happened, I was already on the phone with him. So speak with him often.”
Gary in particular has been a steadying force for Long since they met more than seven years ago.
“I’ve spent a good deal of time with Rashan,” he said, “we kind of grew up as from like boys to men at Michigan. I’ve been a huge fan of his, happy to see his success the last few years. So to be here and be able to share the field with him is extremely cool for me, though. And we already have a connection in terms of just like understanding who I am, who he is. We’ve grown some being in the league but, at its core, I think I understand who he is and he understands who I am.”
He packed light for Green Bay
When Long was released from the Panthers, after playing in one game, he knew he could be moving fast.
“This is a business of people. And you get familiar with people but just being yourself, packing a light bag so it’s easy to move around,” Long said about how he stays positive.
When he got the call that he’d be heading to Green Bay, he grabbed a go bag … and a few extra layers.
“The biggest bag I packed is probably my football stuff,” he said. “Cleats, stuff to keep my body together. And then clothes wise, toiletries, you get that where you go. And then you pack some warm clothes heading here, and everything else sorts itself out.”
He’s familiar with the system
Long spent four seasons with the Rams, appearing in 56 games. During that time, he had 90 tackles and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in a wild-card playoff win over the Arizona Cardinals en route to the Super Bowl. Long gave up five receptions but for only 24 yards during that Super Bowl win.
His first two years with the Rams had him playing under current Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
“There’s some familiar calls and things like that,” he said. “So that’s always easy when you go to a system or defense that you’re familiar with. So just getting used to the terminology and things like that, and their identity and mindset on the defense.”
He knows this could be his last shot
Long was a Day 2 draft pick who has bounced around with frequency this season. Now, the Packers are hoping he’s their next Douglas: Someone plucked from a practice squad or waivers who becomes a late-season game-changing addition. Long, for his part, is hoping this is the team and chance that gives him his best shot.
“Sometimes it’s not always me,” he said. “I’m very self-aware, I understand things I need to work on. But the thing about this league is, it’s not always black and white in terms of why things happen and why things don’t. You see a lot of guys bounce around the league that have been productive or can be productive. And I think for me, it’s just staying in the fight.
“Anywhere I can help. I understand the skill set that I have. So wherever they feel like I can be useful, I’m willing to do that and help the team. And that’s all it is, honestly. It’s not really about where I can be, it’s just like what ever you guys need me to do, I’m willing to do that.”