The salaries in 2020 suggest a clear favorite, but the Green Bay Packers should have an open competition for the starting job at right guard this summer.
The return of Lane Taylor strengthens the depth at the position. A 49-game starter who handled left guard for the Packers between 2016 and 2018, Taylor restructured the final year of his contract and should now have an excellent shot at making the team in 2020.
Will Taylor be a quality veteran backup or a cheap veteran starter?
Taylor’s biggest hurdle to playing time is Billy Turner, a free-agent signing of GM Brian Gutekunst who started all 16 games for Matt LaFleur at right guard in 2019. Turner might be a better fit in the wide-zone scheme, but he struggled mightily at times during his first year as a starter, especially in pass protection.
According to Pro Football Focus, Turner allowed a team-high six sacks and 45 pressures while finishing 76th among NFL guards in pass-blocking efficiency.
In no way did Turner’s performance in 2019 guarantee a starting job in 2020.
The money might.
Turner’s four-year deal averages $7 million per year. Taylor just slashed his base salary, reducing his cap hit to $2.4 million this season. Turner’s cap hit will be $8.1 million in 2020. The Packers paid him a $3 million roster bonus in March, and, at least based on the money, are expecting him to be a sure-fire starter.
But the Packers will have options, starting with Taylor. They’ll also return Lucas Patrick, a versatile veteran they re-signed late last year, and Cole Madison, a fifth-round pick in 2018. Sixth-round pick Jon Runyan is moving inside after playing left tackle for Michigan. The Packers also drafted Simon Stepaniak, a 31-game starter at guard at Indiana, and Jake Hanson, a player the Packers think can play center and guard.
Clearly, Turner will go into camp as the heavy favorite to start at right guard, based on his 16 starts there last year and his large salary. But bringing back Taylor solidifies the depth at both guard positions and should provide necessary competition for Turner at right guard.
This summer will determine if the Packers are committed to Turner as the starter or if they will let Taylor actually compete for the job.