The Green Bay Packers signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed this week. | Green Bay Packers/Facebook
The Green Bay Packers signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed this week. | Green Bay Packers/Facebook
The Green Bay Packers have finally turned their long-time infatuation with defensive tackle Jarran Reed into the real thing.
Team officials announced this week they have inked the 6-3, 306-pound free agent to a deal that stands to make him the new anchor of their defense. Details of the deal have not been disclosed.
The Packers have long shown an interest in Reed, with the team being linked to him in 2016 before the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft, a news release this week on SI.com said.
Over his first six seasons in the league, Reed has earned the reputation for being a "disruptive" force, totaling four seasons with at least 20 pressures, including a 10.5-sack campaign in 2018 when he also had 50 pressures.
In Green Bay, Reed is set to team with Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry as an every-down player on one of the league's most versatile defensive lines, the release said.
Soon after making the deal official, Reed took to Twitter to confirm the deal, posting, "Let’s gooooo #GoPackGo so thankful for the opportunity to continue my career in Green Bay."
Entering the offseason, the Packers had as big a need for help along the defensive line as any team in the league, and general manager Brian Gutekunst had the resources to act quickly after the team recently dealt All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to Las Vegas.
In all, Reed spent five seasons in Seattle, accumulating 22 sacks and 58 quarterback hits over 72 games. He spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs and created 2.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hits in 17 games.