GREEN BAY – Welcome back Jonathan Ford.
The Packers claimed the 6-foot-5, 338-pound defensive tackle off waivers from Chicago after losing Jordon Riley to a season-ending Achilles injury during Saturday's loss to Baltimore.
Ford, 27, recorded 13 tackles (one for loss) while playing 173 defensive snaps for the Bears over 12 games.
Here are five things to know about the Packers' newest defensive lineman:
- Ford was one of Green Bay's four seventh-round picks in 2022.
Taken with the 234th overall pick, Ford was part of a fruitful 11-player draft class for Green Bay that included linebacker Quay Walker, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, and starting offensive linemen Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom and Sean Rhyan.
Ford shared his seventh-round selection with Walker (249), safety Tariq Carpenter (228) and receiver Samori Toure (258).
Ford and former college teammate Jonathan Garvin (seventh round, 2020) are the only defensive players whom the Packers have drafted out of the University of Miami (Fla.).
- Despite spending two-plus seasons in Green Bay, Ford never appeared in a game for the Packers.
Green Bay was both deep and durable on the defensive interior during Ford's time here. A healthy scratch throughout his rookie season, Ford spent the 2023 season on the Packers' practice squad without being activated to the gameday roster.
Ford garnered high praise from the Packers during training camp in 2024 before injuring his calf in the preseason finale. Still, the Packers thought enough of Ford's ability to place him on injured reserve with a designation to return during final cuts.
He was activated on Oct. 21, 2024, but immediately released and re-signed to the Packers' practice squad. The Bears signed Ford to their 53-man roster near the end of a five-win season.
- Ford got his first chance to see the field in Chicago.
The monstrous defensive tackle made a solid first impression when he racked up five tackles (one for loss) in his debut against the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 16, 2024.
Chicago re-signed Ford in January after finishing with nine tackles on 77 defensive snaps in the Bears' final four games.
He didn't make Chicago's initial 53-man roster this past summer but signed to the practice squad the following day. After being elevated for three games, Ford was signed back to the 53 on Oct. 25.
Ford was a healthy scratch during the Bears' two December meetings with Green Bay. He was waived on Saturday to enable Chicago to activate rookie guard Luke Newman off IR.
- He has prototypical makeup as a run-stopper.
Ford's size was his calling card coming into the NFL. With Wyatt (ankle) and Riley both out for the season, Ford gives the Packers another option on the interior after giving up 307 rushing yards in a 41-24 loss to the Ravens last Saturday.
During the NFL Draft process, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein praised Ford for his knock-back power, quickness off the snap and ability to penetrate the backfield for a man his size.
- Ford was a three-year starter for the Hurricanes.
The Ford Lauderdale, Fla., native chose to stay home as a three-star recruit in 2017. He spent five years at Miami, racking up 60 tackles (eight for loss) in 50 games with 30 starts.
Ford enjoyed his best season for Miami as a redshirt sophomore in 2019 when he recorded all three of his collegiate sacks with a forced fumble and pass deflection.
