4 “Tough Decisions” Green Bay Packers will Have to Make Along OL
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers OL Decision No. 3: Billy Turner or Dennis Kelly at RT
This may not have seemed like it was going to be a difficult decision to make just a few weeks ago, but the play of Dennis Kelly has brought the starting right tackle position, at the very least, into question. And, of course, this is dependent on Billy Turner being healthy.
Although Kelly has spent much of the season on the bench for the Green Bay Packers, he was Tennessee’s starting right tackle for the entire 2020 season. Kelly was on the field for nearly 1,100 snaps, and he didn’t allow a single sack and gave up 26 pressures.
This season he has given up two sacks, but only five total pressures in his 185 pass-blocking reps. Kelly has also been much better as a run-blocker over the last three games as well–ranking 23rd out of 88 eligible tackles in run-blocking grade during that span.
Turner was having a solid season of his own prior to his injury. For much of the season as the offensive line battled injuries, it was Turner who provided stability and reliability for this unit. PFF has credited him with three sacks and 32 pressures allowed. Aaron Rodgers would also make sure to mention that he believed Turner should have been a Pro Bowler.
In terms of the overall level of play from each player, it does seem like a fairly similar comparison, but Turner does have the larger sample size this season, he did face better competition, and we know that Rodgers thinks highly of him–which does matter.
Verdict: Billy Turner will start at right tackle