Packers 2021 roster preview: What’s next for Ty Summers?
Ty Summers has become a key special teams player for the Green Bay Packers, but he could face competition for a spot on the 53-man roster this summer.
Summers has filled in at inside linebacker when injuries have hit the Packers at times, but most of his work has come on fourth down.
What’s next for Summers in 2021?
2020 stats
Summers played in all 16 games, starting one. On defense, he made 39 tackles and had one pass defense.
2020 review
With Christian Kirksey, Krys Barnes, and Kamal Martin ahead of him on the depth chart, Summers’ role on defense was limited.
But when he was on the field, he had an important role. In the Week 3 win over the New Orleans Saints, Summers replaced an injured Kirksey and took on the role of wearing the earpiece to communicate the plays to his teammates. Not an easy job, especially considering Summers hadn’t played many defensive snaps.
According to Pro Football Reference, Summers ended up playing on just 17 percent of the team’s defensive snaps last season, although that was up from zero as a rookie. But he had a big role on special teams, featuring on 76 percent of the snaps.
Will he make the roster?
There’s no doubt Summers will face competition for a roster spot. With De’Vondre Campbell, Krys Barnes, and Kamal Martin all likely to make the 53-man roster, Summers could have to compete for the last spot if the Packers keep four inside linebackers.
He’d need to win the job ahead of Oren Burks and draft pick Isaiah McDuffie.
What to expect in 2021
Summers will need to perform well over the summer to increase his chances of making the 53-man roster, but what will help him is his work on special teams. That goes a long way and could be enough to secure a spot on the roster as the fourth inside linebacker.
Summers will also have gained some valuable experience on defense last year, especially when he was relaying the plays to the rest of the defense.
If he makes the roster, it’s unlikely his defensive role will change all that much, but Summers would again be an important player on special teams for the Packers.