The Green Bay Packers have a number of interesting position battles to watch once training camp begins. Backup quarterback is one of these battles as Sean Clifford looks to rebound from his poor showing during OTA’s. 2024 seventh round pick Michael Pratt had an excellent showing during these activities and could end up stealing the job from him.
The second starting boundary cornerback job is also one that is up for grabs. Obviously, Jaire Alexander will be one of the starting corners, but who will start opposite him? Eric Stokes is finally healthy and, after the Packers decided to decline his fifth-year option, is looking to finally prove that his stellar rookie campaign was no fluke. Carrington Valentine, however, played well last season starting in place of injured players and could earn the full-time gig.
Perhaps the most intriguing position battle, though, is on the offensive line. Josh Myers is the only lineman that is projected to be a starter that can only play one position: center. Everyone else is capable of playing multiple positions.
The Green Bay Packers Have a Versatile Offensive Line
Green Bay made a significant decision to move on from five-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari during this offseason. Additionally, Jon Runyan Jr. and Yosh Nijman each signed with new teams in free agency. Both Runyan and Bakhtiari were Week One starters for the Packers in 2023.
One of general manager Brian Gutekunst’s most important tasks of the offseason was to restock the depth on the line. He did so by signing free agent Andre Dillard and drafting three linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft: Jordan Morgan, Jacob Monk, and Travis Glover.
Now, the job of the coaches is to find the best combination of their rostered linemen to form their starting five. As mentioned, Myers is slotted in as the center for now, but that does not guarantee he has the job.
The fact of the matter is that Green Bay has several linemen who can play center, including Zach Tom who the team believes could be a Hall of Famer at the position (he played right tackle last season). Elgton Jenkins is a Pro Bowl left guard but has played every offensive line position including center during his time with the Packers.
Simply put: the Packers are going to put their best five overall linemen on the field. Who they are and what position they play have yet to be determined.
Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl Left Guard Elgton Jenkins Won’t Commit to a Position in 2024
On Friday night, Jenkins decided to interact with some fans on social media and invited them to ask him some questions. One fan asked him if he was sticking at left guard this season. He posted the following reply:
As seen, he would not commit one way or another, but his response definitely proves that there could be significant shifts in where certain players are put on the offensive line.
Fans may remember that when Bakhtiari first tore his ACL, it was Jenkins who became the starting left tackle. He can literally play anywhere.
Exactly where he will be remains to be seen.
