Green Bay Packers: Sternberger Ready for Very Important Role in 2020

Jace Sternberger is going to play a very important role in 2020 for this Green Bay Packers’ offense and he is more than ready for the challenge.

The tight end position for the Green Bay Packers has been a Rubik’s Cube since the Jermichael Finley days. While it isn’t for a lack of effort as they’ve brought in several high-profile free agents over the years, the Packers haven’t been able to find one who sticks and produces consistently.

Under the old Mike McCarthy offense that was something that Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers could get away with since the tight end position just didn’t play an integral role. However, under second-year Head Coach Matt LaFleur, it will be a very important part of his offense.

And that means a much bigger role for second-year tight end Jace Sternberger in 2020.

Former Packers’ tight end Jimmy Graham is now in Chicago and although Marcedes Lewis is back, he will primarily be used as a blocking tight end. Josiah Deguara will take some snaps at tight end as well, but he will also be doing a little bit of everything in this offense. Meanwhile, Robert Tonyan still remains a bit of an unknown.

That means Sternberger will be tight end No. 1 this season and part of his responsibilities include making some noise in the passing game.

Last season didn’t get off to the best start for Sternberger as he suffered an injury during the preseason that held him out until Week 10. Upon his return, he was primarily used as a blocker and was targeted just one time during the regular season. However, there were a few instances where he was able to get open but the ball went in a different direction.

Then in the playoffs, Sternberger would record a catch in the Divisional Round against Seattle and two in the NFC Championship Game against San Francisco, including a touchdown. And as you can imagine, getting that touchdown out of the way felt pretty good for the rookie:

"“Not trying to be the too-cool-for-school guy, but definitely, I was happy it happened, glad I got it out of the way,” Sternberger told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “It was good momentum for sure, but I’m all ready for this season.”"

Now as we look ahead to the upcoming season, it appears that we are going to see more 21 and 22 personnel from the Packers, which means more snaps for Sternberger. And his ability to line up all over the formations is going to create mismatches for himself and his teammates while also giving this offense some unpredictability.

In fact, during his season-ending press conference, GM Brian Gutekunst discussed how Sternberger is going to be a “matchup problem” for opposing defenses:

"“The flexibility he gives us. Obviously, he has a lot of speed, he can stretch the seam, he’s a matchup problem for linebackers and safeties. Matt put him in the backfield, moved him around a little bit,” Gutey said. “Jace can be one of those guys, as he develops, he can play a lot of different places and be a matchup problem. Excited for him, excited that he gained a little bit of confidence at the end of the season that will hopefully be a push going into next year.”"

While we will see Sternberger moving around quite a bit, which he confirmed earlier this offseason on Locked on Packers, he also added that LaFleur wants him “in the slot a lot.”

With his size and speed, out of the slot Sternberger is really going to be able to attack the middle of the field just as he did at Texas A&M and it’s those traits that have really caught the eye of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as he mentioned on a recent Zoom call with reporters:

"“He has an element of speed that is very impressive. He’s got fearlessness. He’s very aggressive. He has a lot of intangibles,” Hackett said. “Just being able to be consistent, both being available and understanding what he needs to accomplish on the field is going to be huge, and if he gets that, I think he’s going to be a guy that potentially helps us.”"

By now if you follow Green Bay Packers’ football, you are more than well aware that this offense needs a another consistent receiving option, or even two, to emerge this season. And although as Hackett points out, Sternberger needs to improve his consistency and understanding of the offense, there is the very real possibility that he could be that emerging player in 2020.

However as Sternberger puts it, whether it be in the passing game or some other avenue, he just wants to bring some added energy to this offense:

"“I want to be that guy who’s in the game who’s getting the crowd fired up because he takes a hard hit, gets up, or runs someone over,” Sternberger said. “Doesn’t always have to make the most exciting play, but just someone who, when he steps on the field, you know he’s in the game because he’s making an impact somehow with his energy.”"

The transition for a college tight end to the NFL is a very difficult one, which is why we rarely see rookies make an impact that first season. But there also isn’t any guarantee that Year 2 is going to be any better. It can and has taken longer.

But when it comes to Jace Sternberger and this Green Bay Packers’ offense, to put it simply, they’ll need him to make that leap. Rodgers needs another reliable receiving target and in LaFleur’s offense, a versatile tight end like Sternberger opens up so many possibilities. Not just for him but for his teammates as well.

So while it’s certainly a tall task, as you’d expect, Sternberger is ready:

"“I will have the opportunity for my role to be bigger,” Sternberger told Schneidman. “It’s all how I handle it and what I can prove. It goes back to me and this opportunity. I’m just really excited about it, and I’m just definitely ready for it”"