GREEN BAY – Back in May, in the middle of the offseason program, he was an under-the-radar signing.
Down the stretch for the Packers in 2019, cornerback Chandon Sullivan is becoming a key piece to coordinator Mike Pettine's defense.
A second-year pro out of Georgia State who played in five games with the Eagles last year as a rookie, Sullivan has seen a jump in his defensive snaps of late, and games like Sunday's against the Bears show why he keeps earning more.
Sullivan was anywhere and everywhere, supporting the run, playing both hybrid linebacker and cover corner, dropping into zones like a safety, you name it – and highly involved in some of the game's important defensive stops.
Here's a sampling of the up-and-comer's work.
Play No. 1: Second-and-9 from the Chicago 28, second quarter, 12:08 left
Result: 4-yard run by RB David Montgomery
This is pretty standard run support, but it's Sullivan's anticipation that makes the play and saves a potentially big run. Lined up across from WR Anthony Miller (17) in the slot, Sullivan is clearly expecting a run and starts to shift more toward the box right before the snap. The adjustment gives him a better angle to sidestep Miller's block attempt and be right where he needs to be to drop Montgomery. If he gets blocked by Miller, Montgomery might be off to the races.
Play No. 2: Fourth-and-7 from the Green Bay 41, second quarter, 7:40 left
Result: Incomplete pass
There's a lot going on here and Sullivan is in the middle of all of it. First, along with CB Jaire Alexander (23) and S Darnell Savage (26), the Packers effectively disguise their coverage. Sullivan seamlessly passes off WR Allen Robinson (12) on his upfield route and widens to the flat where Miller is headed. Once QB Mitch Trubisky starts to scramble and extend the play, it's a "plaster" situation, and he's taking Miller all the way. The key to staying with him is the quick turn of the head at about the 28-yard line. Sullivan glances over his left shoulder and sees Miller jetting up the sideline. He keeps himself in position to make it a very difficult catch for Miller, who comes down with the ball but is out of bounds.
Play No. 3: Third-and-4 from the Green Bay 32, third quarter, 10:23 left
Result: 2-yard sack by DL Kenny Clark
This goes as Clark's second sack of the day, but give Sullivan his share of the credit. At the snap, he widens quickly to pick up Montgomery leaking out of the backfield. Then, as Trubisky starts to roll out, Sullivan effectively takes on Montgomery's block, which combined with the pursuit of defenders from the inside, gives Trubisky no running lane or throwing opportunity to get the first down. Clark eventually runs him out of bounds for the loss, and the Bears turn the ball over on downs on the next snap.
Play No. 4: Second-and-10 from the Chicago 41, third quarter, 2:33 left
Result: 3-yard run by RB Tarik Cohen
Sullivan isn't known for his speed, but he closes some ground fairly quickly here. At the moment Cohen (29) gets the handoff, he's got a head start on Sullivan toward the boundary to turn the corner. As Sullivan tries to gain the angle on him, credit CB Kevin King (20) for getting off the block of TE Jesper Horsted (49) and getting a swipe at Cohen. Even though King misses, he alters Cohen's path enough to give Sullivan the step he needs to square up and whack Cohen out of bounds for a minimal gain.
Play No. 5: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 28, fourth quarter, 11:02 left
Result: Incomplete pass
This play has Miller matched up in the slot against Savage – a safety not a corner – so it's a natural spot for Trubisky to attack. Except there's Sullivan again, getting enough depth on his drop to take away any throwing angle Trubisky has on Miller's post route.
Play No. 6: Fourth-and-10 from the Green Bay 49, fourth quarter, 1:51 left
Result: Incomplete pass
This is great coverage all around by the Packers on the big fourth-down stop at midfield late in the game, but it's worth watching Sullivan work the middle of the field. First, he recognizes Miller's seam route and is perfectly in sync with S Adrian Amos (31) to take that away. Then, as Trubisky nears the sideline and tries to throw back over the middle for Robinson, Sullivan reacts well and almost ends his effective day with an interception.
