NFL training camps will have a different feel to it this season. COVID-19 has changed the NFL, along with the rest of the world. But while training camps will have a different feel, battles for positions will still take place. The Green Bay Packers will have several positions up for grabs when training camp kicks off. There is one starting position for the Packers that could be up for grabs. The Packers starting right guard might be determined in this year’s training camp.
Green Bay Packers Starting Right Guard Position Could be Up for Grabs
The 2019 off-season was a busy one for Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst. Gutekunst and the Packers opened up their wallet to sign four free agents to big contract deals. Three of those signings came on the defensive side of the ball. Outside linebackers Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and safety Adrian Amos were all brought in to shore up the Packers defense. All three players were major contributors to last season’s Packers defense. The fourth signing, the lone signing on the offensive side of the ball, was guard Billy Turner.
Turner was coming off a strong 2018 season with the Denver Broncos. In 2018, the former third-round pick by the Miami Dolphins, played in 16 games, starting 11 of them, for the Broncos. That season Turner found a home starting at left guard for the Broncos. Gutekunst was looking to shore up the Packers starting right guard position and he marked Turner as the man to do so.
Turner started every game as the Packers starting right guard. While Turner’s ability to start every game at right guard was commendable, his play was very uneven. Much more was expected from Turner after the big-money deal he signed in the off-season. Because of his uneven play, it has made his status as the Packers starting right guard up in the air heading into this year’s training camp.
He will have a competition going into this year’s training camp. Competition from a player that Packers fans are very familiar with.
Lane Taylor Looking to Make his Way Back into the Starting Lineup
Heading into last season, Lane Taylor was the starter at left guard for the Packers. It was a position he had held since 2016 when he took over for long time starting left guard Josh Sitton. However, his status as the Packers starting left guard changed very early in the 2019 season.
Taylor started just two games last season as the Packers starting left guard before a biceps injury forced him to injured reserve. But even before the injury occurred, his hold as the starter was starting to slip away. Rookie Elgton Jenkins had seen time during those two games Taylor was healthy. Jenkins displayed the ability that made him a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Jenkins’s play earned him a spot on Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie team.
With Jenkins now entrenched as the Packers starting left guard, many believed Taylor’s time as a Packer had come to an end. However, the Packers decided that Taylor still had some value. Taylor agreed to restructure his contract, clearing the way for his return to the Packers this coming season.
Taylor’s starting experience makes him a valuable reserve for the interior of the Packers offensive line. But there is no doubt that Taylor isn’t going to just settle for being a reserve. His sights will be getting back to the starting lineup. His path to do so could possibly be as the Packers starting right guard.
Battle Could Provide Better Depth on the Packers Offensive Line
For Taylor to win the Packers starting right guard position, he will need to have a big training camp. It won’t be an easy task to unseat Turner. Along with his big contract, Turner is the better athlete of the two. But Turner’s superior athletic ability didn’t lead to stellar play last season. If his ability had matched his play, we wouldn’t even be discussing this scenario.
This wouldn’t be the first time that Taylor has been the underdog. Taylor entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He had to fight for everything he has earned. His 49 games as an NFL starter also gives him a chance to win the Packers starting right guard position.
If Taylor were to unseat Turner as the Packers starting right guard, it actually could provide the Packers better depth on the offensive line. If Taylor wins, it could allow Turner to become not only the top backup at guard, but also at both starting tackle positions.
Turner entered the NFL as a tackle. Throughout his time in the NFL, Turner has spent some time playing tackle. Currently, the Packers top reserve to starting tackles David Bakhtiari and Ricky Wagner is Alex Light. Light saw some time last season at right tackle but struggled mightily. Gutekunst chose not to upgrade the tackle position this off-season, so having a player such as Turner as the top reserve could help the Packers offensive line depth.
For this to happen, Taylor will need to outperform Turner in this year’s training camp. If he does, it could also mark the last season for Turner as a Packer. His cap number is high and would be too high for a player who isn’t a starter.
Offensive line battles might not grab headlines. But for the Packers, the starting right guard battle will be worth watching in this year’s training camp.
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