A year later, Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward is still angry.
He’s angry that the Green Bay Packers, the team that drafted him, didn’t even offer him a contract when he hit free agency last year.
Hayward had his ups and downs with the Packers, from a spectacular rookie season with six interceptions to being replaced as an outside corner during his final year with the team. Hayward was moved to the slot in favor of rookie Damarious Randall during the 2015 campaign.
Most people thought Hayward was better suited for the slot and seemed to have lost his playmaking ability. He didn’t record a single pick in 2015.
The Packers, seemingly well-stocked at the position with Sam Shields, Randall, Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter and Micah Hyde, let Hayward walk.
As we all know, the Packers weren’t well-stocked enough at cornerback in 2016. Between subpar play and injuries, they finished 31st in pass defense.
Hayward, meanwhile, went to San Diego and led the NFL in interceptions with seven. He also defended 20 passes. Hayward proved himself a fine outside cornerback and usually lined up against the opposition’s No. 1 receiver. He made the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors.
He made the Packers look stupid.
Why the turnaround?
Anger.
“I’m like ‘Wow. They really think I’m a shitty player,'” Hayward says. “They didn’t offer me at all. I felt like I was the best player at the position when I was there. It kind of was like, ‘Dang.’ I’m glad now I’m a L.A. Charger. I got to show my true talents. Got to travel with No. 1s and show people what I can do. I’m glad I’m not there with those guys. I’m glad I’m here.
“I’m going to come out here each year and try to prove those guys wrong, again, that they should’ve signed me.”
We definitely see both sides of this story.
Hayward has proven himself a talent and clearly, the Packers could have used him last year. On the other hand, no one could have envisioned what happened with the Packers’ cornerbacks in 2016. Everyone — us included — talked about the position in terms of a team strength going into the season.
Perhaps if Hayward would have found the motivation he had last year while he was in Green Bay, he’d still be there.