The Green Bay Packers are fortunate in that they do not have to worry about their starting quarterback is this season. Last year, Jordan Love put the NFL on notice by throwing for 4,159 yards and 32 touchdowns in his first year as the Packers’ starting quarterback. Now, the only quarterback competition happening is between Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt for who will get to be his backup.
There are, however, other interesting position battles going on for starting positions on the team. Anders Carlson, for example, is fighting for his job with former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph and James Turner, who was recently released by the Detroit Lions.
Perhaps the most intriguing (and important) position battles, though, are happening on the offensive line. With David Bakhtiari no longer on the team, there is a battle at left tackle. Rasheed Walker started all 16 games at left tackle after Bakhtiari’s injury, but he is not being handed the job.
So too, the Packers have competition at all of their offensive line positions, and one NFL analyst believes they should bring back one of their former players to compete for a job.
The Green Bay Packers Encouraged to Sign Former Offensive Guard Greg Van Roten
The Packers originally signed Greg Van Roten as an undrafted free agent in 2012. While he did not make the team out of the training camp, Van Roten was signed to the practice squad. He ended up appearing in 10 games over the span of two seasons with Green Bay.
Van Roten did not appear in an NFL game from 2014-2016 but signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2017 and eventually became their starting left guard. He also has spent time with the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes that, given the position battles on the Packers’ offensive line, a reunion may be in order:
“Greg Van Roten is one of the few veterans left on the market who could make a difference. He is 34 years old, but he just played over 1,000 snaps for the Raiders last season and earned a PFF grade of 75.3 while committing no penalties.
“He played on a one-year, $1.6 million contract last season. He probably played well enough to command more money, but the fact that he’s still on the market would say that he might not get much more.”
As a guard, Van Roten could certainly compete for the right guard spot, which was vacated by Jon Runyan Jr., who signed with the New York Giants earlier this offseason.
The Green Bay Packers Have Some Questions to Answer on Their Offensive Line
As mentioned, right guard is wide open since Runyan left. Former third round pick Sean Rhyan is expected to compete for the job, but has not really impressed in the small amount of time he has been given to play.
What is really intriguing about the Packers’ offensive line is that most of the players they have there can play multiple positions. Elgton Jenkins, for example, is a Pro Bowl left guard, but has played each of the five offensive line positions at some point in his career.
Zach Tom was Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle last year, but the team believes he could be a Hall of Fame center if they chose to put him there.
Jordan Morgan was the Packers’ first round pick this year and is competing with Walker for the starting left tackle job, but also could play any position except center.
One thing is for sure, the Packers are going to put their best five lineman out on the field, but where those players will be is yet to be seen.
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