Packers: Rick Wagner Appears to be Odd Man Out on Right Side of OL

According to Matt LaFleur, they are still competing on the right side of the line, but with Rick Wagner missing time along with Billy Turner and Lane Taylor’s play, he appears to be the odd man out for the Green Bay Packers’ starting jobs.

The most important training camp battle that’s been taking place these last few weeks for the Green Bay Packers comes on the right side of the offensive line. With Bryan Bulaga now in Los Angeles and Lane Taylor fully healthy, the likes of Taylor, Billy Turner, and free-agent signee Rick Wagner have been battling for the starting right guard and tackle positions.

A few months back, it was thought by many that Wagner was going to assume the role of right tackle – and he still could – while many also believed that Lane Taylor would be cut or traded in favor of a salary cap boost. However, as Matt LaFleur put it a few weeks ago, when it comes to the right side of the offensive line, “nothing is set in stone.”

Now ten practices in, I still wouldn’t say anything is set in stone, but it’s evident at this point that Wagner appears to be the odd man out.

Wagner has battled injuries throughout his career and is coming off a particularly poor 2019 performance, which is why he’s battling for a starting job, to begin with. Unfortunately, the injury bug has reared its ugly head once again, and after sustaining an arm injury last week, Wagner has now missed four straight practices.

And during this time, with Turner taking more first-team reps at right tackle, both he and Taylor have looked very good.

Both LaFleur and GM Brain Gutekunst have discussed with the media the confidence that they have in Turner to start at tackle if needed. And as Mike Spofford of Packers.com pointed out, Turner proved them right once again at Tuesday’s practice:

"“Turner took multiple reps in the one-on-one pass-rush drill Tuesday against edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, who was back in pads for the first time in several days, and held his own just fine. In 11-on-11, Turner took his share of reps against Rashan Gary as well.”"

This has been a common theme throughout camp for Turner. If you follow along with the live tweets from reporters each practice, he continues to find success at tackle and has put together a very solid camp up to this point as Andy Herman of Packer Report mentions:

"“I’ve been skeptical, but Billy Turner has had a really nice camp so far and has had almost no issues in Rick Wagner’s absence.”"

But as steady as Turner has been, it appears that Taylor has been even better. According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, entering Tuesday’s practice, Taylor was a perfect 8-0 in one-on-one pass-block/pass-rush drills. The only offensive linemen, in fact, to be undefeated with at least two reps.

In Herman’s most recent article highlighting Tuesday’s practice, he had this to say about Taylor’s performance:

"“Lane Taylor has taken to the right guard position like he was born to play it. He looks incredibly comfortable and highlighted his practice today with two wins against Kenny Clark in one-on-one’s. He’s been stellar in the one-on-one sessions of practice but has also been stingy in team drills.In team sessions today there were numerous runs that broke for nice gains to the right side of the field, and Taylor was right in the middle of the action.”"

The play of both Turner and Taylor is excellent news for the Green Bay Packers, especially considering the question marks that surrounded the right side of the line entering camp. However, as Matt LaFleur told reporters, Wagner’s injury doesn’t mean the competition is over:

"“It makes it more difficult on us in terms of when exactly he will be back and full speed,” he said. “We’re still competing.”"

So once again, nothing is set in stone, and there are still several practices that remain as the competition at right guard and right tackle rages on. Yet with that said, it’s hard not to think that Rick Wagner isn’t at a severe disadvantage at this moment, given that he’s still out with an injury along with the elevated play of Turner and Taylor.