Green Bay Packers Rookie Jager Burton Is Already Pushing The Starters, and That’s Great News
One of the most intriguing position battles in Green Bay Packers training camp may be unfolding along the interior offensive line.
Rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton has reportedly made a strong early impression during OTAs and minicamp, creating legitimate competition for projected starting right guard Anthony Belton. While some may view that as a concern for Belton, the reality is that it’s exactly the kind of problem the Packers should want to have. Competition creates depth, and depth wins games.
Green Bay Packers Burton Isn’t Acting Like a Fifth-Round Pick
When the Green Bay Packers drafted Burton out of Kentucky, most expected him to compete for a backup role while developing behind more established veterans. Instead, he’s already generating buzz as a potential contributor.
Burton’s college experience at center gives Green Bay some flexibility. If he continues to impress, the Packers could theoretically play him at center and slide Sean Rhyan back to guard, or find another way to get their best five offensive linemen on the field.
The important takeaway is simple: Burton has forced his way into the conversation.
That’s a positive development for a team undergoing significant changes up front.
Anthony Belton Still Deserves Patience
It’s easy to focus on Belton’s struggles from last season, but context matters.
The 2025 second-round pick wasn’t expected to play nearly as much as he did as a rookie. Injuries forced him into a larger role, and he ended up logging nearly 500 snaps while starting seven games.
Was it always pretty? No.
There were plenty of growing pains, and the performance metrics reflected that. But rookie offensive linemen often struggle when they’re thrown into starting roles before they’re fully ready.
The Packers knew Belton was a developmental player when they drafted him. One uneven rookie season doesn’t suddenly erase the athletic traits and upside that made him such an attractive prospect.
The Real Winner Is Green Bay
The story here shouldn’t be “Burton versus Belton.”
The story should be that the Packers suddenly appear to have multiple young offensive linemen capable of competing for starting jobs. That’s a luxury many teams don’t have.
Green Bay has built its success for years on offensive-line depth. Injuries are inevitable during an NFL season, and teams that can survive them usually have quality backups waiting in the wings.
Whether Belton wins the job outright or Burton forces his way into the lineup, the Packers benefit either way.
If Belton improves enough to hold off Burton, Green Bay gets the second-year leap it was hoping for.
If Burton wins the competition, Green Bay may have found another draft steal and still retains Belton as experienced depth.
Both outcomes strengthen the roster.
Offensive Line Depth Could Be Critical in 2026
The Packers are already entering the season with questions along the offensive line.
Jordan Morgan is expected to start at left tackle. Rhyan is transitioning to center. Zach Tom is returning from injury. Aaron Banks is looking to bounce back from a disappointing first season in Green Bay.
With so much uncertainty, having another young lineman emerge is a huge positive. The last thing Green Bay should want is for spots to be handed out without competition. By pushing Belton, Jager Burton is helping ensure the best players earn the starting jobs.
Training Camp Battle Worth Watching
Belton probably enters camp as the favorite.
The Packers cleared a path for him this offseason and invested significant draft capital in his development. His physical tools remain intriguing, and another offseason in the system should help.
But Burton has made this far more interesting than many expected.
The rookie has already shown enough promise to make coaches take notice, and if that continues during training camp, the competition could last well into the preseason.
Regardless of who wins, the Packers come out ahead.
For a team hoping to contend in 2026, having too many capable offensive linemen is a much better problem than not having enough.
