All-Pro center Corey Linsley departed in free agency and All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari has an uncertain recovery timeline, leaving the Green Bay Packers to piece the offensive line back together to start 2021.
A glimpse at how the puzzle pieces could fit together early in the season arrived Tuesday at OTAs.
According to reporters at the open practice session, the Packers arranged the first-team offensive line with Elgton Jenkins at left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. at left guard, rookie Josh Myers at center, Lucas Patrick at right guard and Billy Turner at right tackle.
It’s certainly possible the five players listed above will start at the same positions when the Packers travel to New Orleans to play the Saints in Week 1.
Jenkins, a Pro Bowler at guard last season, is the key cog. His ability to play left tackle – arguably the most important position on the offensive line – provides the Packers with unmatched versatility and incredible value. He played all five positions last season, including a Week 1 start at right tackle. It appears he is now the Packers’ preferred backup option behind Bakhtiari, who tore his ACL in late December last season.
A minor surprise here is Myers, the Packers’ second-round pick. He is being thrown into the fire immediately at center, although it’s unclear how the Packers would configure the offensive line is Bakhtiari is ready for the start of the season. He started at center for two seasons at Ohio State, and the Packers think he has the physical and mental makeup to play early in his NFL career, much like Linsley.
Turner, who filled in at left tackle for Bakhtiari to end last season, was an effective starter at right tackle in 2020. Like Jenkins, he has valuable versatility and could likely handle at least four of the five offensive line positions if necessary.
Patrick was a starter at right guard last season, while Runyan could be a first-time starter after impressing in a reserve role as a rookie in 2020.
Of course, the caveat here is that Tuesday was just a voluntary workout in May, and the Packers will likely experiment with various combinations this summer. But it is noteworthy that Matt LaFleur picked this particular combination, especially considering how effective it could be if the pieces fit together right.
The Packers offensive line – a dominant group last season – won’t look the same to start 2021, but a few early question marks might have answers. If Jenkins can be solid at left tackle and Myers is up to the rookie challenge at center, the Packers offensive line doesn’t have to take a major step backward, even if Bakhtiari misses the start of the season.
[listicle id=58790]