Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has begun advocating for right tackle Billy Turner to receive Pro Bowl consideration.
In his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Rodgers called Turner the “unsung hero of the offensive line” and campaigned for him to get more national recognition.
“Billy Turner needs to get consideration for the Pro Bowl,” Rodgers said. “I know we’re only six games in, but he’s played outstanding. He really has. He’s a master of his craft. Nobody works harder at his craft than Billy. I’m really proud of him.”
Turner has started all six games and played all 380 offensive snaps for the Packers at right tackle. He’s faced the likes of Cameron Jordan, T.J. Watt and Khalil Mack to start the 2021 season but has allowed only three sacks and 14 total pressures over 225 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. One of the sacks allowed was the trip of Rodgers by Watt in Week 4.
ESPN’s run-block win rate metric has Turner with the eighth-best win percentage among offensive tackles. Overall, the Packers are fifth in pass-block win rate and ninth in run-block win rate.
The offensive line has been a patchwork group due to injuries to start 2021, but Turner, who arrived in Green Bay as a free-agent addition in 2019, remains the steady and reliable veteran at right tackle.
Getting more national attention might be difficult for Turner, especially once All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari returns in the coming weeks, but his play on the right side of the offensive line has played a big part in the Packers’ current five-game win streak.
According to PFF, Turner ranks 36th among qualified offensive tackles in pass-blocking efficiency in 2021. He’s also 22nd among all offensive tackles in snaps played.
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