It was undoubtedly a shock when it was announced that the Las Vegas Raiders had released safety Johnathan Abram, a former first-round pick in 2019 who has been the team’s second-leading tackler both this season and last.
Ultimately, the Raiders felt that they were better off without Abram, and after shopping him at the trade deadline but being unable to come to the right deal, the front office simply chose to cut him. But Abram wasn’t without a team for too long, as an NFC team in need has already picked him up.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers claimed Abram off waivers, with Schefter noting that a familiar face is now in Green Bay who knows Abram extremely well:
Packers’ Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia worked with Johnathan Abram in Las Vegas and knows Green Bay’s new safety well. https://t.co/IcLQP6pFEP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2022
Bisaccia is, of course, very familiar with Abram as the now-Packers Special Teams Coordinator was the Raiders’ interim coach last season who helped lead the team to the playoffs after taking over for Jon Gruden. While the Raiders would eventually turn to Josh McDaniels to coach the team moving forward, Bisaccia was still well respected and liked within the organization.
Abram could be a good fit for the Packers defense as he brings something they sorely need, as the Packers are one of the worst teams in the NFL at stopping the run. The safety has his issues in coverage, but he is more than capable of coming down in the box and delivering some serious hits.
Even though Abram was still the Raiders’ second-leading tackler after eight games, his role on the defense was already diminishing, leading to him being expendable. Abram was on the field for just 34 and 46 percent of defensive snaps in the last two weeks as the Raiders turned to Duron Harmon and Trevon Moehrig as the backend of their defense.
In the end, it was the Raiders’ choice to move on, and now Abram has a chance for a fresh start with the Green Bay Packers.
