Packers offensive lineman Aaron Banks has taken a lot of heat this season.
Green Bay signed Banks, 28, to a top-of-market free agent deal this offseason, worth $77 million over the next four seasons and he has yet to live up to anything close to that kind of financial commitment.
However, as one of the NFL’s most difficult stretch runs shifts into gear, Banks is playing some of his strongest and most consistent football of the season.
Packers’ Matt LaFleur bullish on Aaron Banks
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur believes that as the season has gone along, Banks’ play has steadily improved.
“I think he’s really kind of turned a corner,” LaFleur told reporters, via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Banks, 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, has only allowed one sack this season, but according to Pro Football Focus, he’s surrendered 18 total pressures, which is 29th in the NFL.
But, where Banks needs to step up down the stretch if he’s going to make the kind of impact Green Bay hoped when they signed him is as a run-blocker, which has not been his strong suit so far this season.
As Banks distances himself from some early-season injuries, if he can be a steadier run-blocker and continue to improve, he could be a catalyst to the Packers’ offensive line shoring itself up ahead of and into the postseason.
