After joining the Green Bay Packers as the 250th pick in last year's draft, former Cincinnati Bearcats guard John Williams missed his whole rookie season with a back injury.
Finally back on the field in training camp, Williams wasted no time impressing general manager Brian Gutekunst with his versatility, sliding between the left guard, left tackle, and center spots.
"For what he's done so far in a week, it's been pretty impressive given the fact he hasn't played football in a year," Gutekunst said. "They've moved him all around. I think he's played almost all five spots, which is music to my ears. At some point, I think he'll start to settle in somewhere so we can get a really good look at him. I'm excited to see the preseason games and see what he can do there."
With seven roster spots likely filled, accounting for veteran backup Darian Kinnard and rookie Jager Burton, the Packers are still rounding out the depth chart. For one or two remaining slots, Williams will compete against third-year guard/center Jacob Monk and tackle Travis Glover. Glover, a 2024 draft pick, also missed all of 2025 due to injury.
As preseason nears, Williams couldn't be emerging at a better time to keep the pressure on at the backend of the rotation.
John Williams can start accruing equity whether he cracks the 2026 Packers roster or not
Missing an entire season put Williams behind the eight-ball, but it's good to hear that he is already in the swing of things. As a late seventh-rounder, coming off a yearlong hiatus, he could still face an uphill battle to prove himself worthy of a roster spot. Monk has impressed in camp, earning first-team reps in recent practices, and Glover potentially provides needed tackle depth.
But Williams' flexibility could prove useful, even as Gutekunst looks forward to concentrating his preseason reps at one position. The same thing that puts Williams at a disadvantage - his extended absence and lack of rookie-year tape - also makes him a wild card. If he can hold his own with the others, he could command an edge according to the law of "mystery box" appeal.
In any case, Williams' path to making the team would likely require the Packers to carry nine, rather than eight, offensive linemen. That could make sense, anyway, given injury concerns with right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and left guard Aaron Banks. If Monk punches his ticket, the final spot will likely come down to Williams versus Glover.
Given the limited amount of film on either player, preseason should tell us a lot about who has the upper hand nearing the roster cutdown date. Even ending up on the practice squad, Williams could build up standing in the organization to be elevated in case of injury during the season, or as a candidate to make next year's 53-man roster.
"I'm sure he's pretty eager to get out there," said Gutekunst. You bet. As Williams works off rust and gets his football feet back beneath him, there's plenty to play for either way.
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