Every great team has overlooked pieces of the winning puzzle. The Green Bay Packers may have several, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers pointed to one specifically on Wednesday.
Rodgers called do-it-all offensive lineman Billy Turner one of the team’s “unsung heroes” of the 2020 season.
“He’s definitely one of the unsung heroes of the season, for so many reasons,” Rodgers said Wednesday.
Turner, who was the last of four major free agents signed by GM Brian Gutekunst in March of 2019, started all 18 games at right guard last season but has been used all over the offensive line in 2020, including at right tackle and left tackle.
According to Pro Football Focus, Turner has played 246 snaps at right guard, 427 snaps at right tackle and 221 snaps at left tackle, including back-to-back starts at left tackle after the Packers lost David Bakhtiari to a season-ending knee injury.
Rodgers thought Turner played “damn well” at right guard in 2019, but he’s been even more impressed with his ability to play both tackle spots this season. Battles against Chicago Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack specifically caught Rodgers’ eye.
“When we kicked him out to tackle, he’s had some incredible performances in my opinion. Going up against one of the best, if not the best, edge rusher in the game in Khalil a couple of times, and played him really, really well. Just watching those games back, just watching his hands, and varying his sets. Just training tape in mixing things up as a tackle. I thought it was just outstanding play.”
Turner didn’t give up a sack in either game against Mack and the Bears.
Per PFF, Turner has played 884 total snaps in 2020 but has allowed only two sacks and 25 total pressures while being flagged for just three penalties.
In ESPN’s pass-block win rate metric, Turner has the third-highest win rate among offensive tackles.
On Sunday, Turner will start at left tackle for the Packers as they battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. He’ll likely face Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul on most snaps.
Last week against the Los Angeles Rams, Turner allowed just one pressure and earned the top pass-blocking grade at PFF among Packers offensive linemen.
Rodgers called Turner a “mountain of a man” who shares the “great calmness” on the field with all the terrific offensive tackles in Green Bay over the years.
“He’s been such a solid, solid player,” Rodgers said. “I think his attitude and approach is very important to his success. He’s an extremely positive, thoughtful person, and also very, very sharp. All those things combine to allow him to have a calm peace of mind on the field.”
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