A few Packers starters are fighting for their jobs in training camp, but still might end up getting benched before Green Bay concludes camp.
We're starting to get some viable information out of Green Bay Packers training camp now that we're several practices deep into the proceedings. Some of that has been great to see, things like the young pass-catchers making highlight plays and elements of the defense making an impact too. Of course, there have been some other things that haven't been as good for Green Bay.
The truth of the matter is that training camp is a marathon, a spot on the calendar where players can round into form and get right before Week 1 — especially with preseason games looming. If that doesn't happen, however, and troubling early-camp performances continue, that could end up costing a starter their job and seeing them get benched.
Early on in Packers training camp, these three starters already appear to be in danger of losing their starting jobs and getting benched before the beginning of the regular season.
Packers: 3 starters who could be benched before the end of training camp
3. Anders Carlson could lose the kicker job at Packers training camp
The Packers made it pretty clear that they were going to move toward youth in the 2023 season in many aspects, one of which was at the kicker position. Mason Crosby was shown the door and Green Bay then drafted Anders Carlson in the sixth round, seemingly hand-picking their replacement for Crosby.
When that draft pick was made, however, I was dubious that Carlson could be the guy. After all, he only made more than 72% of his field goal attempts in one of his five seasons with the Auburn Tigers — he did make 20-of-22 (90.9%) in the 2020 season.
And unfortunately for the Packers, we're starting to see that unreliability show in training camp. As Matt Schneidman of The Athletic (subscription required) noted after Tuesday's practice, Carlson has a booming leg, but his accuracy and consistency have been a major problem.
He continued that inconsistency on Wednesday.
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While being able to line up for a field goal from deep range and have a shot at three points still is an asset, so too is not feeling worried about the gimmes. For Carlson, that seems to be an issue.
We're already seeing Carlson struggle with his reliability in the kicking department, which is perhaps the worst thing you can say for a player at that position. If it doesn't improve throughout the remainder of camp, you can be on the Packers dipping into the always-ready free agent pool to find a more consistent option for their special teams.
2. Rudy Ford being an incumbent won't help him at Packers training camp
It's no secret that the Packers safety room got a big shakeup this offseason, mostly by way of the lack of impactful moves that Brian Gutekunst made.
Adrian Amos, after showing signs of decline in the 2022 season, was allowed to walk in free agency, signing late in the process with the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Green Bay signed guys like Tarvarius Moore and Jonathan Owens in free agency while drafting Anthony Johnson Jr. in the seventh round. But again, there has been little evidence that they are starting caliber.
Because of that, the belief has seemed to be that one of the only incumbents at the position, Rudy Ford, will pair up with Darnell Savage at the safety spots when Week 1 rolls around. That might be true when it's all said and done, but consider me dubious.
Ford joined the Packers last offseason and played a limited role with 443 snaps on the year. He was admittedly good in coverage at time, but the consistency was lacking with spike games and splash plays offsetting some less desirable moments.
This is a player, though, who is already on his fourth team over six NFL seasons. If he was a true impact starter, that wouldn't be the case. Even if he has undeniably improved, there are better options out there.
Point blank, I don't see anyone on the Packers roster right now taking Ford's starting job. But with veterans such as John Johnson III, Duron Harmon, Andrew Adams, Logan Ryan and more still available in free agency, I'd be shocked if Green Bay didn't end up bringing one of them in. With their experience, Ford would almost surely be relegated back to being a role player in the secondary.
1. Josh Myers is already in danger of losing his job at Packers training camp
A second-round pick in the 2021 draft for the Packers, Josh Myers was the starting center in the 2022 season, playing more than 1,000 snaps for Green Bay. That comes after entering the fray as a rookie with just under 300 snaps at center in the 2021 campaign.
But early on in training camp, it seems like Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff aren't satisfied with what they've been seeing. Most recently, the expected right tackle for this group, 2022 rookie standout Zach Tom, lined up in front of Jordan Love at center for numerous reps during Tuesday's practice.
LaFleur was asked by the media as to why that was the case and his big sticking point was looking for more consistency, though he did throw in some coach-speak about Myers having been good for the Packers.
The fact that LaFleur and the Green Bay coaching staff are already looking at other options with the first-team offense at center and talking about consistency does not bode well for Myers.
Getting the right center snapping the football to Jordan Love is crucial for the Packers, perhaps one of the most underrated aspects of a young quarterback's development. If the team believes Myers isn't the right guy, then it's all but certain that they will exhaus every possible option to find the right guy instead of him.
Given his experience and versatility to move out to guard as well, it's likely that Myers' spot on the 53-man roster isn't in jeopardy. Whether he lines up at center come Week 1, however, is being put very much in doubt.
