With Aaron Banks managing knee tendonitis for much of training camp, the Green Bay Packers often used promising rookie Jager Burton at left guard with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 periods. So why didn't Burton get the start at left guard in place of Banks during the regular season opener on Sunday?
Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said the Packers decided Donovan Jennings was the better option based on practice performance over the last few weeks leading into the regular season.
"Just going through practice and evaluating the last few weeks, we felt that Donovan was doing a better job in practice," Stenavich said Tuesday while answering a question from Jason Wilde of WISC-TV News. "They both played pretty well in the preseason,
and I think just the accumulation of what happened the last weeks of practice, we felt, at this time, more comfortable with Donovan playing."
Jennings ended up as the Packers' lowest-graded blocker at Pro Football Focus, an unflattering title given the struggles of the offensive line overall. He allowed two pressures, committed a penalty and was notably poor in the run game.
Stenavich admitted playing Brian Flores at U.S. Bank Stadium would have been an especially difficult environment for a rookie to make his pro debut. Jennings, a 2024 undrafted free agent, is now in his third season with the Packers.
It's possible Burton and 2025 second-round pick Anthony Belton will be more in the mix to play in Week 2. Stenavich said the Packers will rotate players in with the first team this week to find their best five ahead of Sunday's trip to New York.
"Well, we're going to keep working that this week with Zach (Bako-Bewele) more situated at tackle. We're going to rotate a few guys and see what our best combination is," Stenavich said.
The Packers returned Bako-Bewele to the starting lineup at right tackle, and Stenavich said he "battled" through the game despite coming off a major injury/surgery and receiving limited practice reps.
"I thought, coming back, dealing with what he's been dealing with, it was a plus. He hadn't gotten a lot of reps in practice, he made it through the game, he battled. Was it his best game? No. But I think there's a lot he can build on, and I expect him, as the season rolls through, to be playing some pretty high level ball soon."
On the left side, Stenavich said Jordan Morgan needs to keep improving as he settles in at tackle. Morgan was charged with allowing a team-high five pressures against the Vikings.
"I think he can be better and he will be. There was some plays I think he'd like to have back. But again, first game of the year, we just have to make sure we're improving with our technique."
Stenavich said the Packers counted 18 hits on quarterback Jordan Love in the opener.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Why did Packers start Donovan Jennings over Jager Burton in Week 1?
