Training camp is where roster ideas get tested, and for the Packers, Jager Burton is the kind of rookie who can force a conversation they’d actually like to have.
Green Bay spent the spring reshaping parts of the roster, and now the pads are set to go on. That makes the offensive line one of the most important spots to watch, especially with Burton in the mix. The fifth-round pick has already done enough this offseason to put himself on the radar, and if that carries into camp, he could start climbing the depth chart fast.
Burton brings exactly the sort of flexibility teams love to uncover in July and August. He can play both guard and center, and at Kentucky he was a four-year starter who showed quick feet and the ability to get to the second level in the run game. His knack for winning quickly is a big part of what makes him interesting.
Head coach Matt LaFleur had positive things to say about Burton in early June, and that kind of early buzz matters. It’s one thing to look good in workouts before the real collisions begin; it’s another to carry that momentum once the pads come on. But Burton has already done enough to suggest he’s more than just another developmental lineman.
That’s where the real pressure lands on the players ahead of him. The Packers gave Sean Rhyan a three-year, $33 million extension this offseason, but the contract doesn’t lock him into the job if Burton outperforms him.
Rhyan’s 2025 season was uneven at both guard and center. He allowed 28 pressures and eight QB hits across 11 starts, then finished with a 58.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, along with a 66.7 run blocking grade and a 36.8 pass blocking grade.
Even with the new deal, Green Bay could move on next offseason and save $5 million. That keeps the door open.
Anthony Belton is another interior name worth tracking. He played in 14 games and made seven starts last season, but his numbers weren’t strong either. Belton gave up 23 pressures and posted a 49.7 overall PFF grade, with a 51.9 in run blocking and a 43.3 in pass blocking.
That’s the backdrop for Burton’s camp. Rhyan and Belton haven’t done enough to make the starting picture feel settled, and if Burton proves he’s one of the better interior linemen on the roster this summer, the Packers won’t hesitate to plug him into the lineup. Green Bay took him with the 153rd pick, and now he has a chance to turn that into a genuine camp battle.
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