Packers Q&A with Justin Hollins

The Packers claimed Justin Hollins off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams last Wednesday, and he arrived in Green Bay in time for practice on Thanksgiving. A few days later, he had one sack and two tackles for losses in his Green Bay debut at Philadelphia.

Hollins was a fifth-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2019. After one year in Denver, he had a career-high three sacks for the Rams in 2020.

Q: What is it like getting to Green Bay on Thanksgiving?

A: It was great today. Airport wasn’t congested. It was way calmer. It’s nice, man. And it’s green out here, too.

Q: Don’t get used to it being so warm.

A: That’s what I was told. I was told this was a hot week. 30-something outside? 40?

Q: You played in a playoff game here in 2020.

A: That was cold. I was Vasolined up. I had the Vasoline all on my arms.

Note: It was 35 at kickoff when the Packers beat the Rams 32-18 on Jan. 16, 2021.

Q: How similar is this defense to the one you played in with the Rams?

A: Joe B (Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry) was over there in L.A. a couple years ago (with then-Rams defensive coordinator Brandon) Staley when I first got there. So, I built a relationship with him. Looking over it, scheming over it, there’s a lot of carryover. Different terminology here and there.

Of course, he’s going to put his own spin on things. So, I just got to adapt to that and have a good handle on that. It shouldn’t be hard.

Q: What was it like playing for Barry?

A: It was great. I didn’t get to get coached by him specifically because I also came in late, first-game-of-the-season-type thing. I didn’t have that big experience with him. I was in the OLB room. He was in the ILB room. But I spent some time in there, rotating between ILB and OLB.

So, I did get a little relationship with him and I did get to get some of his greatness to rub off.

Q: You went from starting to this season to being released. What happened?

A: Man, you can’t get your feelings involved, you know? It’s a business, at the end of the day. So, you come in with a fresh slate, just ready to put in work and whatever happens, happens. You can only control what you can control, and you move forward with the best attitude and put your best foot forward.

Q: What have these last 24 hours been like?

A: Shoot, you get cut, get released, and then you call your agent, have a conversation with your agent and stuff. We were just talking about possibilities, different teams that reached out, certain ballclubs, and he got good feedback.

It’s just a waiting game to see what happens. You never know. You’re not in on any of the calls.

Q: Did you have any sense that you’d land here?

A: Actually, I was a little surprised. I was a little surprised. But I also didn’t know about Rashan (Gary)’s traumatic injury. I didn’t know about that. So, my condolences to him on that. Hopefully he’s in good spirits and stuff. But we didn’t talk about (Green Bay). But I’m here now, so I’m happy to be here.

AT A GLANCE

Position: Outside linebacker

Age: 26

Number: 47

Season: Fourth

College: Oregon