Packers: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by Week 1

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 08: Raven Greene #36 and Equanimeous St. Brown #19 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate in the first quarter against the Houston Texans during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 08, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

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Oren Burks #42 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

4. ILB Oren Burks

After employing Mike Pettine for the last three seasons, the Packers’ new defensive coordinator is Joe Barry. The former is now a member of the rival Chicago Bears’ coaching staff. While Green Bay made some strides on this side of the ball a year ago, it’s still a club that needs to be stauncher against the run – as was proven on more than one occasion in 2020.

The team also needs to get better play from its younger performers. Linebacker Oren Burks was a third-round pick in 2018 but in three seasons with the club, he has failed to distinguish himself. He made four starts as a rookie but none since. He’s amassed his share of special teams tackles but more was expected here.

3. QB Blake Bortles

There’s 2020 first-round draft choice Jordan Love. There’s Kurt Benkert, a member of the Falcons’ organization the past three seasons. And there’s another quarterback on the Packers’ roster who along with Aaron Rodgers has felt the pain of losing a conference championship game recently. Blake Bortles was signed by the club in mid-May via a one-year deal.

The third overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jaguars threw at least 11 interceptions in each of his five seasons with that club but the team was one game away from Super Bowl LII in ’17. He was with the Rams in ’19, did not play a year ago and it would be somewhat of a stretch to think he’ll be with the team if Rodgers is.

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