Packers Free Agency 2025: The case for keeping Robert Rochell

Can a special teams lifer get another shot this fall?

The Packers have 11 unrestricted free agents this offseason, and we’re challenging ourselves to make the case for keeping each of them…even if that case isn’t especially strong. So far we’ve looked at Josh Myers, Eric Wilson, and Andre Dillard. Today, defensive back Robert Rochell gets a look

Robert Rochell in a nutshell

• 2021 4th round pick by Los Angeles Rams (130th overall)
• Appeared in 28 games over two season with Rams, though did not play in Rams’ Super Bowl victory
• Member of Seahawks and Panthers’ practice squads in 2023 before signing to the Packers’ active roster on October 25, 2023
• Has appeared in 20 games over two seasons with the Packers

2024 season

• Active for 11 games (0 starts)
• Played 122 total snaps (121 on special teams, one on defense)
• Two tackles, one fumble recovered

Overview

Robert Rochell arrived in Green Bay when the Packers needed help on special teams, and that’s exactly what he’s offered.

In 2024, Rochell pitched in primarily on the Packers kickoff coverage, punt coverage, and punt return teams, and it was special teams work that brought him his one and only highlight of 2024.

During the Packers’ Thanksgiving win over the Miami Dolphins, Rochell was Johnny-on-the-spot for a muffed punt early in the first quarter, recovering the loose ball inside the Miami 10 to set up the Packers’ first touchdown of the night. Rochell earned the game ball for his work, partially in recognition of his perseverance through personal tragedy.

The case for keeping Robert Rochell

Unfortunately, that’s about where the case for keeping Rochell both begins and ends. I have to admit, this is one of the tougher cases to make to this point. But his special teams work is really the sum total of his skill set at this point: since arriving in Green Bay, 99.6% of his snaps have come on special teams.

Worse, Rochell’s special teams contributions aren’t particularly noteworthy, even on the Packers. Five defensive backs had more special teams snaps in 2024 than Rochell did, including Xavier McKinney. When the All-Pro moonlighting on special teams still handily outsnaps you (162 snaps for McKinney to Rochell’s 121), it seems safe to say that you aren’t a core part of the special teams apparatus.

Still, Rochell is a known commodity that the Packers went out of their way to sign two years ago. It would have been easier from a roster construction standpoint to add somebody to the practice squad and elevate them a couple of times than it was to sign Rochell outright, but the Packers wanted Rochell. Maybe that familiarity, along with Rich Bisaccia’s contract extension in Green Bay, is enough to get Rochell another shot this fall.

Being a known commodity is worth something, and that seems to be Rochell’s best path to the roster right now.