Tight end Jace Sternberger will be a moving chess piece for the Green Bay Packers offense in 2020.
Last year’s third-round pick told Peter Bukowski of Locked on Packers that coach Matt LaFleur is planning to play him “in the slot a lot” and have him “moving around” the offense next season. In his exit interview following the 2019 season, LaFleur challenged Sternberger to improve his ability to release off of the line of scrimmage in an effort to maximize his potential as a pass-catcher in 2020.
While Sternberger didn’t have a catch during the regular season of his rookie year, he gradually became a more important player on offense after returning from injured reserve, showcasing an ability to handle multiple roles. The Packers will attempt to put more on his plate in Year 2, and there’s a good chance he’ll be a much bigger part of the passing game now that Jimmy Graham is gone.
Opportunities in the slot may stress defensive personnel and will provide Sternberger with chances to attack the middle of the field using his speed. He was particularly effective when asked to run behind linebackers and stretch the seam at Texas A&M.
On at least two occasions during the regular season last year, Sternberger beat his man down the field in one-on-one coverage but the ball went elsewhere. Finding more opportunities to get him in the right matchups in the passing game will be crucial for LaFleur and the Packers in 2020.
During the postseason, Sternberger played 39 snaps over two games and caught his first NFL touchdown pass. He said the score against the San Francisco 49ers – caught in the back of the end zone against the coverage of Fred Warner – was partially the result of Aaron Rodgers subtly changing his route at the line of scrimmage. Sternberger saw the signal, made the adjustment and stuck with the route as Rodgers extended the play. More of that – with an emphasis on the execution pre-snap – will make him a favored target of Rodgers moving forward.
The Packers believe Sternberger, who caught 10 touchdown passes his final season at Texas A&M, can be a matchup problem as he develops.
“The flexibility he gives us. Obviously, he has a lot of speed, he can stretch the seam, he’s a matchup problem for linebackers and safeties. Matt put him in the backfield, moved him around a little bit,” GM Brian Gutekunst said in January. “Jace can be one of those guys, as he develops, he can play a lot of different places and be a matchup problem. Excited for him, excited that he gained a little bit of confidence at the end of the season that will hopefully be a push going into next year.”
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