Every offseason has one player who quietly changes the conversation: Not the first-round pick and not the big free-agent signing. Instead, it’s the rookie who begins camp fighting for a roster spot before slowly forcing coaches to give him more opportunities. By the end of June, everyone is talking about him. This year, that player might be center Jager Burton.
Packers Rookie Jager Burton Is Making Strong Early Impression
The Packers selected Burton in the fifth round out of the University of Kentucky expecting to add versatility and depth to an offensive line that has become one of the league’s best at developing young talent. Few expected him to be taking first-team reps before training camp even arrived.
Burton has taken advantage of injuries and roster absences to earn extensive work with the first-team offensive line. More importantly, he has impressed coaches, teammates and observers with how quickly he has adapted to the NFL.
Opportunity is Knocking for Jager Burton
With Aaron Banks sidelined during minicamp and Jacob Monk still recovering from a torn biceps, Burton has received valuable reps with the starting unit. Head coach Matt LaFleur has been one of his biggest supporters throughout OTAs.
“I see a really young guy that’s extremely coachable, athletic and is maximizing the most of his opportunities,” LaFleur told ESPN reporter Rob Demovsky. “I think every practice he gets a little bit more comfortable, a little bit better. He’s definitely going to be in the mix to compete for playing time this year.”
For a fifth-round selection who entered the offseason as more of a developmental project than an immediate contributor, hearing your head coach openly discuss competing for playing time is about as encouraging as it gets.
Jager Burton’s Biggest Strength Isn’t Just Athleticism
When Green Bay drafted Burton, everyone talked about the athletic testing. His Relative Athletic Score ranked among the best interior offensive linemen in the class, highlighting the movement skills the Packers have consistently valued when building their offensive line.
But athleticism only gets a player through the door. The reason Burton continues climbing the depth chart is because of everything else. During his career at Kentucky, Burton started games at center, left guard, and right guard. That versatility immediately translated once he arrived in Green Bay.
He opened OTAs working as the second-team center. The following week he slid over to right guard with the first-team offense after Anthony Belton kicked outside to tackle. This week he has spent time at left guard filling in for Aaron Banks, who is facing a lot of pressure this season. Few rookies can comfortably handle that much movement in such a short amount of time.
This Competition Is Just Getting Started for Jager Burton
Let’s be clear, Burton hasn’t won a starting job. Training camp and preseason football will ultimately determine where he lands on the depth chart.
However, he has done something equally important, he has entered the competition. Before OTAs, many assumed Jacob Monk would be the primary interior backup once healthy. Others believed Green Bay’s veteran starters were comfortably ahead of everyone else. Burton has complicated those assumptions pretty fast.
The Packers value versatility perhaps more than any organization in football, and Burton checks every box. He has experience across the interior, impressive athletic traits and a coaching staff that already trusts him enough to put him alongside the starters.
Over a 17-game season, offensive line depth becomes almost as valuable as the starters themselves. Injuries happen every year. Players miss time. Someone inevitably has to step into meaningful snaps. Green Bay may have found that player much sooner than expected.
Jager Burton: Another Offensive Line Gem
For years, the Packers have quietly built one of the NFL’s best reputations for developing offensive linemen. They rarely panic in free agency. They consistently trust their scouting department. They draft athletic, intelligent linemen, develop them patiently and watch them eventually become contributors.
Burton is beginning to look like the next name on that list. It’s far too early to crown him the next Zach Tom or another late-round success story. The real tests begin when the pads come on and veterans start playing at full speed.
The calendar still says June, yet one thing already feels clear: Burton isn’t simply fighting to make the roster anymore. He’s fighting for playing time. And if these first few weeks are any indication, that’s a battle he has every intention of winning.
Main Photo Courtesy of Tork Mason – USA Today Network via Imagn Images
