Green Bay Packers Offensive Line Coach Shares Blunt Analysis Of Team’s Depth

Offensive line play is the backbone of any successful offense, and Green Bay Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus isn’t sugarcoating the challenges his unit faces. After two preseason games in 2025, Butkus gave a blunt yet honest assessment of the Packers’ offensive line depth, admitting, “It’s not where we want it to be.”

His comments highlight a critical concern for a team that relies heavily on strong pass protection for quarterback Jordan Love and an effective blocking scheme for their ground game, led by Josh Jacobs. The limitations in the backup positions could have serious implications for Green Bay’s aspirations this season.

Green Bay Packers Depth Concerns Exposed in Preseason Action

The Green Bay Packers’ starting offensive line can hold its own. Veterans like Elgton Jenkins, combined with emerging talents such as Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan, provide a strong foundation. The starting group has generally been productive in scrimmages and limited preseason snaps.

However, once you peek beyond the first-string unit, questions abound. Players like Jacob Monk and Donovan Jennings, who serve as depth options for the interior line positions, have struggled in live game situations. According to Pro Football Focus, Monk and Jennings have allowed a combined one sack, two hits, and nine pressures across two preseason contests. To make matters worse, they’ve also been flagged for five penalties.

“It’s hard to win without reliable offensive line play,” Butkus pointed out. And he’s not wrong. Green Bay’s offensive struggles in January’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles underscore this reality. When Elgton Jenkins left the game injured, unproven backups struggled against an elite Eagles defensive front, leading to relentless pressure on Jordan Love. Backup players must be ready to step up, especially in moments like these.

Rookies and Depth Players Show Flashes Amid Struggles

Rookie Anthony Belton encapsulates the promise and peril of Green Bay’s situation. The second-round pick has displayed raw talent and potential but has also dealt with growing pains, including a night to forget against the Colts, where he was flagged five times. Belton’s ability to mature and limit mistakes will play a pivotal role in Green Bay’s depth stabilizing over the season.

These individual struggles aren’t isolated to Belton. The backups behind Jenkins have been inconsistent. Their preseason performances raise legitimate concerns about how this unit would cope with injuries to the starters. “Once the Packers get beyond their top six, there are question marks, especially at the interior positions,” noted Butkus.

This is particularly problematic given the team’s offensive philosophy. Success for Love will heavily depend on a clean pocket to execute plays and open up passing opportunities. Likewise, a stable offensive line is critical in creating the rushing lanes Josh Jacobs needs to excel. Depth concerns risk compromising both.

Lessons From the Playoffs

Green Bay’s lack of depth isn’t a new problem. The Packers suffered from similar struggles last season in their playoff game against Philadelphia. After Jenkins’ exit, the replacements were overmatched by one of the most dominant defensive fronts in the league. Love faced 18 pressures, was sacked twice, and took three hits in that game. Jacobs managed just 2.94 yards per carry (excluding a heroic 31-yard run) due to inadequate run blocking.

Flash forward seven months, and the same issues rear their head. Preseason struggles serve as a reminder that injuries can change everything in the blink of an eye. If Monk or other backup players can’t rise to the occasion, the Packers’ offensive vision could be derailed.

Final Thoughts

Luke Butkus’s blunt assessment of the Packers’ offensive line depth is an important wake-up call. While Green Bay enters the 2025 season with a strong starting unit, the backups remain a significant area of concern. Injuries are an inevitable part of football, and if they strike in Green Bay’s trenches, the team could face the same struggles that ended their playoff run last season.

Whether the Packers can shore up their line before Week 1 against Detroit could very well determine how far this team goes in a competitive NFC. For now, the work continues, and the pressure is on.