No changing of the guard as Taylor retains starting spot

No starting jobs on offense or defense changed hands during training camp, with Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur announcing on Thursday that Lane Taylor had retained his spot at left guard.

“I just think it’s a comfort factor,” LaFleur, speaking after a 27-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs that closed the preseason, said in explaining why he chose Taylor over rookie challenger Elgton Jenkins. “You’ve got an experienced player. I think Elgton is a guy that’s got a lot to learn but I think there’s a lot to like about Elgton. I think he’s got a bright future.”

The future isn’t now, though, for the second-round pick. Instead, LaFleur is going with the veteran who started 45 of a possible 48 games the past three seasons.

While Taylor played well in 2016 and 2017, he took a step back in 2018 due to ankle, foot and knee injuries. A new coach and schematic change led to the selection of Jenkins and, ultimately, a fight for the starting job.

“Obviously, it’s not the most exciting thing to ever hear in the world but, on the other hand, you’ve got to earn your spot,” Taylor said before the preseason game in Winnipeg against Oakland. “To tell you the truth, when it really comes down to it, you take all the emotions out of it and all of that stuff, you’ve got to earn your spot.”

To put himself in the best position to compete in LaFleur’s zone running game, Taylor trimmed between 10 and 15 pounds in hopes of getting down to 320 for the start of the season. That helped answer the questions about whether he had the requisite athleticism to thrive in the system.

“I think I’ve done good. I don’t think I’m out of this place in this scheme at all. I can fit in any scheme, really,” he said.

Taylor went undrafted in 2013 but fought his way onto the roster. He played in 16 games in 2014 and made his first two starts in 2015. In 2016, the Packers surprisingly released Josh Sitton just before the start of the season. Taylor entered the fray and the offense hardly skipped a beat. In his first two seasons as a starter, Taylor allowed a total of five sacks and was flagged twice for holding, according to STATS. Dogged by injuries last season, Taylor wasn’t himself. According to STATS, he allowed 6.5 sacks and was flagged twice for holding. Pro Football Focus was even harsher, charging Taylor with eight sacks – the second-most among all guards.

In 2013, Taylor learned from the likes of veteran guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang. Two years later, with the 2016 regular season about to start, the Packers cut Sitton and handed the job to Taylor.

Fast forward a few years, and there was Taylor sitting next to Jenkins, iPad in hand, helping the rookie who someday might have Taylor packing his bags and starting his career anew.

It won’t happen this year, though.

“We don’t sabotage each other or keep them down or anything. We help each other out,” Taylor said of mentoring Jenkins. “I think it’s just kind of the brotherhood of offensive line, how we’re wired, structured. It’s just kind of how we operate.”