Key parts of Packers' starting offense should solidify over next two weeks

For all the discussion surrounding the receiving corps and defense, the Packers have big decisions to make along the offensive line.

As the Green Bay Packers approach the end of their second week of training camp, several developments have already come to the forefront. Rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs has impressed his famously demanding quarterback by making "at least one wow play" each day. Meanwhile, the defense has thus far lived up to the hype, showing out in competitive team periods as well as one-on-one drills.

But while the state of the receiving corps and defense will continue to garner most of the headlines over the coming weeks, the day-to-day shifting along the offensive line arguably matters more. Stalwarts David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins remain sidelined for the foreseeable future, and while the Packers hold out hope that both could resume action by Week 1, the prospect of beginning the season without one or both looms over every practice. Other than left guard Jon Runyan Jr. and center Josh Myers, every other spot along the line has seen multiple players working with the No. 1 offense.

In part because of the daily changes along the line, the offensive performance has fluctuated. A unit that has typically dominated training camp each year has taken its share of lumps.

"The defense, other than the first day, has been giving us some issues up front," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday, adding, "I don't think we're doing a great job in some of the protection pickups. But the best part is there's a lot of film to correct. Coaches love that."

Certainly, the absence of Bakhtiari and Jenkins plays a significant role in the disruption. Each provides stellar pass protection when healthy and will likely bookend the offensive line once both have returned to action. The two also provide a veteran's savvy and experience that no other member of the position group possesses.

Whether the uneven start continues into the preseason and beyond remains uncertain. At least for now, the Packers will have to cobble together a starting unit out of four offensive linemen with extended starting experience as well as two rookies selected among the top 150 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. A suboptimal situation, but one that could look far worse too.