Packers bring old friend back to the franchise in a new position

James Campen has been it all for the Green Bay Packers. A player from 1989 to 1993, he was also a long-time assistant coach, working in Green Bay from 2004 to 2018. Now, he's back, and to work with the front office.

According to Tom Silverstein, from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Campen was hired by the Packers to serve as a consultant to the personnel department, helping identify and evaluate offensive linemen.

A former player and coach , Campen will have his first front office experience in the NFL.

Background

James Campen was a center in the NFL, playing for the New Orleans Saints and the Packers in the 1980s and early 1990s. He began his coaching career in Green Bay in 2004 under Mike Sherman as an assistant offensive line and quality control coach.

He was promoted by Mike McCarthy to offensive line coach in 2007 and held the position for 12 seasons — which included a Super Bowl championship in 2010. In 2018, he had a run game coordinator title added, but that ended up being his last year with the Packers. When McCarthy got fired and the Packers hired Matt LaFleur in 2019, Campen was allowed to leave.

Over the past five seasons, Campen had been an offensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Carolina Panthers.

A day for returns

James Campen was not the only comeback on Tuesday in Green Bay. Fullback/tight end hybrid Henry Pearson, who had been released on July 30, signed back with the team for the final week of training camp and preseason.

As a corresponding move, the Packers waived/injured rookie running back Jarveon Howard. This designation means that Howard will go on waivers, and if no other team claims him, he will revert back to the Packers' injured reserve .

Related: Packers announce several coaching staff changes for 2024