The Green Bay Packers entered training camp with a plan at guard. The same two players who started at the end of last season, Aaron Banks on the left side and Anthony Belton on the right, we slated to start in 2026. Unfortunately, a combination of injuries and poor play is forcing the Packers to change their plans at guard. We take a look at what went wrong and where the team is likely to go from here.

Injuries and Poor Play Forcing the Packers to Change Their Plans at Guard: The Problem

Each of the presumed starters has encountered difficulties in camp that has jeopardized their starting spot. For Banks, it’s been injuries. He admitted he’s been dealing with tendonitis in his knee. That has prevented him from practicing fully with the teams in training camp this season.

“I’m taking it day by day,” Banks told Tom Silverstein. “Once it feels good enough, I’ll be ready. We’re moving in the right direction. But it doesn’t feel good enough [for full practice]. You can go out there and do individuals in a controlled setting. We’re just trying to be smart.”

Banks suffered through a disappointing first season in Green Bay last year in part because he had to play through some nagging injuries. Now, he has revealed that he is dealing with a chronic knee condition that could impact him for the foreseeable future.

On the right side, Belton was the starter when training camp opened, but his play was disappointing and inconsistent. Belton took over at right guard last season when injuries hit the offensive line. He was drafted as a tackle and was not cross trained at any other position prior to switching to guard. His made his share of rookie mistakes but also showed some promise. Pro Football Focus graded him as a below average starting guard. The Packers hoped a full offseason of preparation would help Belton make a second-year jump.

Unfortunately, that did not happen. Belton has seen time with the second-string offense at guard. He also had to once again fill in at tackle as right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele missed time earlier in camp recovering from an injury he suffered last season.

The New Contenders to Start

As a result of Banks’ injury and Belton’s inconsistency, both starting guard positions appear to be open. Thus far in camp, two contenders have emerged to fill them.

The first is rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton. The Kentucky alum made an immediate impression on the coaching staff at OTAs and minicamp and has continued to exceed expectations in training camp. The big question remains whether he’s ready to start in the NFL. For now, the coaching staff continues to give him every opportunity to earn that job if it remains open.

Veteran Jacob Monk has been holding down the other starting spot at guard when Belton and Banks have been unavailable. Monk apparently has made progress since last season when the team seemed very reluctant to play him.

Monk can play all three interior offensive line positions (as can Burton). He played fairly well against the Steelers in the preseason opener.

There is little doubt the former Duke star has improved his play in his third training camp with the Packers, but it remains uncertain he has improved enough to be considered a preferred NFL starting guard.

Injuries and Poor Play Forcing the Packers to Change Their Plans at Guard: Looking Forward

The Packers have two more preseason games and three more weeks before the start of the 2026 season. They must first determine whether Banks will be able to play and play well enough to start on his knee. If he can start, he will be the left guard.

It would be easy to see either Burton or Monk starting at one guard position, but if both have to start, that would be asking a lot of young and inexperienced players. The Packers running game struggled mightily last season due to inadequate run blocking. Giving Jordan Love time to throw and keeping him healthy is critical to the team’s success as well.

Adding an experienced starting caliber guard via trade or off the waiver wire remains another possibility. GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur will have some important decisions to make between now and the start of the season. Since offensive lines need chemistry and continuity to be successful, the sooner this gets settled the better.

 

 

 

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