In a surprising move Monday morning during the opening day of NFL free agency, the Green Bay Packers released utility offensive lineman Billy Turner. After starting his career with the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos, the Shoreview, Minn. native and Mounds View High School alumnus signed a 4-year, $28 million deal with the Packers following the 2018 season.
Since joining Green Bay in 2019, Turner played a critical role in the culture change within the Packers after they transitioned from head coach Mike McCarthy to Matt LaFleur. The former North Dakota State Bison started every game at right guard and helped lead the Packers to a 13-3 record and an NFC Championship game berth during his first season in green and gold.
As part of the culture that Turner helped build in Green Bay, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was seen rocking one of Turner’s pieces from his fashion collection during a December road game late in 2019.
(PS, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention that I would do unforgiveable things in order to see “His Swag is No-Swag” Kirk Cousins show up to an NFL stadium with one of Turner’s fashion collections on.)
And when tragedy struck at 38th & Chicago in Minneapolis on the evening of Memorial Day in 2020, Turner rose to the forefront with his voice, along with his actions, following the murder of George Floyd.
After the national media caught a glimpse of Turner’s humanitarianism, it became crystal clear to the football world why he became such an immediate fixture — both on and off the field — for the Packers.
On the field, Turner demonstrated his rare versatility for the Packers’ offensive line in 2020. Turner started at left tackle, right tackle, and right guard throughout the season. He recorded a career-high 70.5 offensive grade per Pro Football Focus while occupying three different positions and allowing just 30 pressures on 581 pass-blocking attempts.
This past year, Turner played 13 regular-season games at right tackle. Unfortunately, Turner’s regular season was cut short after he suffered a knee injury in Week 14’s victory over the Chicago Bears. Turner was forced to miss the remaining four games of the regular season but returned for Green Bay’s playoff game. Filling in for David Bakhtiari at left tackle for the Packers’ Divisional Round playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, he didn’t allow a sack and achieved a pass-blocking grade of 74.7 against one of the best pass-rushing units in the NFL. The year, Turner recorded a pass-blocking grade of 69.3 (per PFF), and Rodgers didn’t hesitate to shower him with praise throughout the season.
During a mid-October appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the back-to-back NFL MVP said that Turner deserved to be in consideration for the Pro Bowl.
“Billy Turner needs to get consideration for the Pro Bowl,” Rodgers said. “I know we’re only six games in, but he’s played outstanding. He really has. He’s a master of his craft. Nobody works harder at his craft than Billy. I’m really proud of him.”
While Monday morning’s news that the Packers released Turner’s came as a bit of a shock, there should be no shortage of suitors lining up hoping for Turner to help immediately improve their team’s offensive line. And considering Minnesota’s weaknesses on the interior of their offensive line, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell would be wise to gauge Turner’s interest in a potential homecoming. With Turner’s ability to play both inside and outside up front, he could occupy one of the starting guard positions and serve as the team’s top backup at tackle should Christian Darrisaw and/or Brian O’Neill be forced to miss time.
Interestingly enough, the Minnesota Vikings selected Turner’s father, Maurice, in the 12th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. Maurice Turner spent the ’84 and ’85 seasons as a kick returner for the Vikings before finishing his career with the Packers in ’85 and the New York Jets in ’87.
During Billy Turner’s recruitment out of high school, University of Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster decided against offering the standout tackle a scholarship for the Gophers. Turner responded by beating the Gophers 37-24 inside TCF Bank Stadium in 2011 before winning three consecutive NCAA FCS National Championships from 2011-13.
The Vikings have an opportunity to right the Gophers’ wrongs. By bringing in the Shoreview native, the former Packer would provide an immediate veteran presence for an offensive line that desperately needs one, especially in pass protection.
But considering Turner’s unique versatility as both a tackle and guard and the consistency he demonstrated over the past three years in Green Bay, it will be no easy task for the hometown Vikings to beat out the rest of the NFL for Turner’s services. And with the Vikings’ current cap constraints, it will be an uphill battle to free up the necessary room for him.
However, the Vikings have already expressed interest in Turner, according to KSTP.
Regardless of where Turner ultimately ends up signing, the state of Minnesota should have plenty of love for him — and the work he’s done for the Minneapolis community — as he embarks on a new chapter of his NFL journey.
