There’s plenty of debate around what the Packers ought to do at guard in 2026, especially after the run game perked up late last season once Aaron Banks got healthy and Anthony Belton was inserted into the lineup. Belton has his issues in pass protection, and those problems show up more when he’s working in space at tackle, but if Green Bay were drafting strictly on “people moving ability,” he’d probably be the team’s top choice.
Even with Banks and Belton both available in team drills on Tuesday, the Packers still rolled out rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton and third-year fifth-round pick Jacob Monk as their starting guards for the day. Monk has only started once in his career, so he isn’t exactly miles ahead of Burton in live-game experience. That made last week’s preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers a useful chance to see what the two young linemen could offer.
Burton’s work is there to watch, and so is Monk’s at both guard and center.
Monk opened at left guard, the spot Banks has typically handled in the past, but most of his night came at center after starter Sean Rhyan was taken out following the first series. Monk stayed in the game at center with the second-team offense and even into the early portion of the third-team work, while Donovan Jennings slid in for him at right guard.
So how did the pair look? That’s really the question, and the answer depends on your own eyes. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus gave Monk a 59.5 grade when his guard and center snaps were combined, while Burton came in at 51.3.
In Other News...
Packers Could Face An Unexpected Roster Twist From NCAA Lawsuit
A new NCAA eligibility fight could end up creating an odd kind of roster ripple for NFL teams, including the Packers, as some members of the 2022 college class explore whether they can reclaim another year in school after the NCAA approved a five-year eligibility agreement. The first official case centers on former LSU player Jack Byburn, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but could head back to college football if he is released and the courts give the green light.
For Green Bay, the wrinkle is less about the headline names and more about the possibility that roster plans could get nudged by players suddenly weighing college over the pros. A Louisiana lawsuit involving 33 athletes has already put the issue on a bigger stage, and with other players getting temporary legal protection, the Packers have at least one more off-the-field variable to monitor as camp decisions start to matter more. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Rookie Absence At Camp Just Took A More Concerning Turn
The Packers Wednesday injury report offered another reminder that training camp can turn quickly from routine to worrisome, especially for a rookie trying to make a first impression. Green Bay listed players on the Physically Unable to Perform list and others who did not practice, and the attention naturally fell on edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton, whose recent absence had already made him a player to monitor as the preseason and regular season calendars keep moving.
Matt LaFleur offered the first real explanation for Dennis-Suttons missed time, saying the rookie was dealing with overheating and then an illness rather than anything tied to conditioning. The update helps narrow the focus for a player whose camp availability has become a point of concern, even if the full picture around his early August setback still leaves one important question hanging for the Packers as they work through the rest of practice. [Read more 🡒]