Three Packers storylines to follow during mandatory minicamp
The Green Bay Packers had almost perfect attendance at organized team activities, so there will not be a big difference to what will happen this week. Anyway, between Tuesday and Thursday, the roster will be in Green Bay once again for the mandatory minicamp, the last week of preparation before the dead period preceding training […]
The Green Bay Packers had almost perfect attendance at organized team activities, so there will not be a big difference to what will happen this week. Anyway, between Tuesday and Thursday, the roster will be in Green Bay once again for the mandatory minicamp, the last week of preparation before the dead period preceding training camp.
This is a much more experienced and reliable team than it was a year ago, with more answers and fewer questions. However, there are still several interesting storylines to follow over the next few days.
Offensive line formation
This is a big topic of conversation, because first-round rookie Jordan Morgan offers a lot of flexibility. The Packers said they will use their "best five," and the quest through the offseason and training camp has been to find them.
Rasheed Walker has been the left tackle without much competition. But without Zach Tom, with a torn pec, every other position has been open.
Elgton Jenkins will obviously start, and presumably at left guard, but Morgan practiced at LG on a day Jenkins was out, leaving a scenario where the Packers could eventually move Jenkins to center.
At center, by the way, Josh Myers has been the guy all along. But he hasn't been that good over the years and is entering the last year of his rookie deal. Jenkins, Tom, and fifth-round rookie Jacob Monk might eventually fight for that spot.
At right guard, Sean Rhyan has surprisingly dominated reps. Initially, it could be a natural spot for Jordan Morgan to start, but the rookie hasn't had any reps there — instead, he appeared at left tackle, left guard, and right tackle.
Finally at RT, Tom won't practice during the mandatory minicamp, still recovering from a torn pec. So this will probably be another chance for Jordan Morgan to show what he's capable of early on. Throughout OTAs, Morgan shared snaps with veteran Andre Dillard, who had signed right before the draft.
Safety rotation
In his last season for the New York Giants, Xavier McKinney had 464 snaps at free safety, 388 as a box safety, and 167 in the slot. The versatility is a big reason why the Packers were fine giving him a four-year, $67 million deal in free agency.
And that's been the mantra in the safety room. Interchangeability is a key component of what the Packers want to build with McKinney, second-year player Anthony Johnson Jr., and the three drafted pieces (Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo).
"The talent level in our room is out of this roof," McKinney said. "It's just going to be fun to play with these guys because everybody is smart. So we are all working off of each other and we're able to build off of each other and compete with each other and make each other better."
Initially, the Packers practiced with McKinney as a strong safety, with Johnson Jr. deep. But the rookies have had their opportunities in multiple spots as well, especially Bullard and Williams, and that's just how the season will probably go.
Jordan Love's extension
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that both sides want an extension done before training camp. So this is the last week Jordan Love will be in Green Bay before the summer break.
The parties will obviously keep talks over the next couple of weeks if something doesn't get done. But until the pen touches the paper, the extension will be the biggest topic for the Packers.
After a strong finish to his first season as the starter in the NFL, Jordan Love is entering the last year of his deal — he signed a one-year, bridge extension last offseason on top of his rookie contract to avoid a fifth-year option uncomfortable situation or a franchise tag from the Packers.
"We're in those conversations right now. A nice part about this is none of these things are always easier fast. But both parties want the same thing, we'd like to get this done before training camp for sure. Both parties want to get a contract extension done," Gutekunst told 97.3 The Game last week. "That stability at that position really allows you to have some security with the way we build our team. So we're looking forward to getting that done, but it never goes fast."
The Packers and Love will get something done. Now, it's a matter of following the when and the how much.
Packers GM shares latest update on Jordan Love’s extension
Both sides want a new deal soon