The Green Bay Packers are allowing veteran Isaiah Simmons to “lock in” on playing off-ball linebacker before his role in the defense expands, an approach the former No. 8 overall pick appreciates after playing a little bit of everything during his first few seasons in the NFL.

Simmons — who has gotten snaps at linebacker, safety, edge rusher and in the slot at the NFL level after a decorated collegiate career playing all over Clemson’s defense — said he’s playing strong side and weak side linebacker in Jeff Hafley’s defense early on and enjoying the process of learning just one position at a time.

“I think really what I ran into most of my career is everybody wants me to do everything, as opposed to letting me get really good at one thing first,” Simmons said Thursday. “I fully believe in Haf’s plan. He’s letting me just lock in and learn a small portion first before we even think about expanding to anything else. That’s something I really appreciate, because I never really had that opportunity to really just hone in on one position…just being able to lock in on one thing, and do that 1/11 every day, that’s been huge for me.”

Simmons has played 84 career games over five NFL seasons. He’s going on his third team in three seasons after starting his career in Arizona and then spending two seasons in New York.

Simmons said the Packers are currently talented and experienced at other positions he’s previously played, allowing him to come in and have a “specific role” without having to worry about filling in at multiple spots, a sales pitch he liked before signing in Green Bay.

Simmons said he believes he can play multiple positions “at a high level” but that his versatility can be a “gift and a curse,” especially when attempting to learn a new defense. The Packers are giving Simmons a chance to be a linebacker first and foremost.

And while he’s still trying to “master the playbook,” he’s loving Hafley’s defense.

“Honestly, I feel like this is the most comfortable in a system I’ve been since I’ve been in the league,” Simmons said. “I just feel like Haf’s defense fits me better…I like his vision, his creativity. I need to be with a guy who is creative.”

Hear more from Simmons below:

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers allowing Isaiah Simmons to ‘lock in’ on specific role at linebacker