Why Packers should re-sign Lane Taylor this offseason

After only playing in one game last season, it’s easy to forget that Lane Taylor is now a free agent. But the Green Bay Packers should bring him back this offseason.

Taylor has been incredibly unlucky with injuries over the past two years.

In 2019, a biceps injury ended his season after only two games. After making an impressive return throughout training camp and beating Billy Turner to a starting guard spot, Taylor would tear his ACL in last season’s opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Two completely unrelated, unfortunate injuries that both proved to be season-ending. But how Taylor responded to his first injury, bouncing back and winning a starting job, shows why he should be back in 2021.

With some reshuffling along the offensive line to be expected this offseason with Corey Linsley gone, Taylor could fit right back in once he’s healthy. If Elgton Jenkins moves to center or tackle, Taylor could start at guard with Lucas Patrick or Jon Runyan Jr.

Taylor has plenty of experience with 50 starts for Green Bay. He looked set for a great 2020 season after impressing throughout the summer and winning back a starting job, which was absolutely no guarantee at the start of the offseason.

After suffering his ACL injury early in the season, there’s a good chance Taylor will be ready for Week 1. Once he’s healthy, expect him to land with a team fairly quickly. The Packers need to make sure it’s with them.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Taylor visited with the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, which Rapoport notes was “mostly as a medical check-in”. Once he’s back to full strength, the 49ers could be a landing spot for Taylor.

But the Packers would be smart to bring him back. A low-risk, high-reward move for the Packers as they’d be bringing in a talented, experienced player who could be an every-week starter at either guard position.