A reunion between the Green Bay Packers and free agent offensive lineman Jared Veldheer makes sense for both parties when considering the team’s depth at offensive tackle heading into the 2020 season.
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that right tackle Billy Turner suffered a knee injury during a team scrimmage this past weekend. Though the injury isn’t considered serious, Turner could miss Week 1.
Rick Wagner, who recently returned to practice on August 28 after missing several with an elbow injury, becomes the favorite to start at right tackle against the Minnesota Vikings when the Packers begin the season on September 13.
Wagner and Turner had been in an open competition for the right tackle job since the beginning of training camp. Wagner was signed this past offseason after being released by the Detroit Lions, while Turner started all 16 games for the Packers last season.
Neither are particularly great options when considering the potential drop off in quality from the team’s former starter at right tackle, Bryan Bulaga. Bulaga became a free agent in March and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after a decade in Green Bay.
Enter Veldheer, the 10-year veteran who came out of retirement last year to sign with the Packers late in the season. Veldheer, 33, appeared in two games in relief for Bulaga and didn’t surrender a single quarterback pressure on 58 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Contrasted with the team’s other current options, signing Veldheer wouldn’t be the worst idea for Green Bay. At minimum he’d provide insurance at a premium position in the form of valuable veteran experience (113 career starts).
In recent years, we’ve seen defensive coordinators transition to deploying their best pass-rusher from the defense’s left side (facing the right tackle). It’s why Trent Brown (Raiders) and Lane Johnson (Eagles) each became the highest-paid offensive linemen at the time of signing their respective contracts, and why Bulaga was able to sign a lucrative deal with the Chargers.
Signing Veldheer has the potential to be a season-altering move for the Packers. Keeping Aaron Rodgers upright is priority number one for Green Bay. Even when healthy, Turner has shown over his career that he’s average at best when tasked at either tackle position. Wagner has declined ever since he left Baltimore to sign with Detroit. The Lions released him three years into a five-year deal.
Admittedly, Veldheer may not be the biggest upgrade, but that doesn’t matter. The Packers have little proven depth behind Turner and Wagner. Both have dealt with an injury during training camp. Heaven forbid anything happen to All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari, either, but what’s the team’s plan for such a scenario?
For what it’s worth, Veldheer seems open to a reunion with the Packers:
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— Jared Veldheer (@Veldheer68) August 24, 2020
NFL general managers gain plenty of recognition for hitting on early round draft picks. But it’s the smaller, less-heralded transactions that can make the biggest difference. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst would be wise to consider reaching out to Veldheer’s representatives.