Jager Burton has gone from a Kentucky turnaround story to a real Packers conversation, and now the question in Green Bay is a lot more immediate: can he force his way into the starting lineup in Week 1?
A year ago, Big Blue Nation was wondering whether Burton could finish his own comeback and lock down the center job. He did that, then backed it up with a strong NFL Combine and wound up catching the Packers’ attention. Green Bay used a fifth-round pick on him, and he’s already given the team plenty to think about in camp.
Officially, Burton is listed as the backup center on the Packers’ depth chart. In practice, he’s been making noise at left guard, where opportunity has opened up.
Aaron Banks signed a lucrative extension last offseason, but an injury has limited him throughout training camp. Anthony Belton, who made seven starts last season, has also been out early in camp, leaving that spot unsettled.
Burton has started both preseason games at left guard, and his work against the Broncos on Saturday was the kind of performance that gets noticed fast. He posted a PFF pass-blocking grade of 79.7 and drew praise from film watchers for the way he handled Zach Allen, a First-Team All-Pro last fall.
“Packers LG52 Jager Burton had some strong reps vs Denver.
good job hitting his landmark, resetting his backside hand and keeping his legs driving into the defender.
Awesome job by MarShawn Lloyd helping him out by getting Zach Allen to peak inside. pic.twitter.com/GhdRe2vrZB”
“Rookie LG Jager Burton had some good/bad vs Broncos starters… Thought he flashed some really nice quickness/blocking fits off the ball and finish/strain… These two end of 1st half caught my eye pic.twitter.com/R9GDdAuf6f”
“Jager Burton put some nice things on film last night pic.twitter.com/CXMmhHHVff”
The praise isn’t limited to the outside view. Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus has liked what he’s seen from the rookie, especially the way Burton has absorbed coaching and translated it onto the field.
“Jager’s been great. His work ethic, his study habits, they show up. You see that in the growth he’s showing,” Butkus said after Saturday’s game.
“Just the fundamentals of playing football, being taught something for so many years at the University of Kentucky, then coming to the Green Bay Packers and talking about how we get off the ball, how we’re running off the ball. Some O-line coaches teach duck-walk, and just try to grab and torque.
That’s one thing he was taught in college. But for him to use his athletic ability and run off the ball and finish with his feet and accelerate on contact, there are some great reps of him doing that throughout his camp.”
Matt LaFleur has noticed it too, saying Burton is “going to make it extremely difficult” on Banks once he’s ready to come back from his offseason injury. Whether or not Burton opens the season as a starter, the message out of Green Bay is pretty clear: the Lexington native is going to matter this fall.
In Other News...
Kentucky Is Counting On A Homegrown Lineman In A Huge Way
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Woods rise matters because Kentucky is leaning on him to help anchor an offensive line that will feature several transfers around him, including Baylor transfer Coleton Price at center. The staff has been impressed by Woods talent and work ethic, and now the challenge is turning that promise into steady production when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky May Be Gaining Early Ground With A Coveted Future Star
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Benjamin Benji Berrouet looks like the sort of recruit who can turn that groundwork into a real battle. The top-ranked 2028 small forward has scheduled his first official visit to Kentucky for Oct. 9, giving the Wildcats an early chance to impress one of the most sought-after names in his class. Berrouet has drawn interest from multiple programs and recently added to his profile by earning MVP honors at the U16 FIBA EuroBasket tournament, so Kentuckys opening in this recruitment is promising even if the finish line is still a long way off. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky May Have A Real Answer To Its Running Back Depth Concern
Kentuckys running back room has been one of the more obvious roster questions hanging over the offseason, and a new name has surfaced that could help ease some of that uncertainty. TJ Harden, who has already spent time at UCLA and SMU and later went undrafted in the NFL, received injunctive relief from a Louisiana judge that opens the door for a fifth year of college eligibility. The Wildcats are reportedly among several schools showing interest, which at least puts a proven veteran option on the board.
Hardens appeal is fairly clear from Kentuckys perspective. He brings experience as both a runner and a receiver, a combination that can matter in an offense looking for backs who can stay on the field in multiple situations. The lingering question is whether the interest turns into something more concrete, because Kentucky could use help in that part of the roster and Harden now appears to have the chance to choose a path back into the college game. [Read more 🡒]