Packers signing free agent offensive tackle Dennis Kelly
The veteran tackle started all sixteen games for the Titans last season.
By PackerAaron
The Packers are adding some tackle depth, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The #Packers are expected to sign veteran OT Dennis Kelly, pending physical, per his agent @Casey_Muir1. Kelly started every game last season for Tennessee. A busy day in Green Bay.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 28, 2021
The Packers obviously got a look at Kelly during their matchup with the Titans late in the 2020 season.
Kelly can play both tackle spots and should provide Green Bay with some needed depth at the position. He can also play inside in a pinch.
Apparently Kelly was in talks with the Texans, but the Packers kept up a bit of a full court press and ended up signing him while the Texans dragged their feet.
Kelly spent five seasons with the Titans before being unexpectedly released earlier this year.
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Comments (31)
marpag1
July 28, 2021 at 04:22 pm
Probably a smart move, given Bakh's uncertain return.
GBPDAN1
July 28, 2021 at 04:29 pm
Agreed. I'm curious to see what his win rate is
mnbadger
July 28, 2021 at 05:04 pm
If we sign him, that says a lot about DB69's knee, Yosh Nijman, etc. It might also say we're going to try to out score opponents again this year, instead of preventing them from scoring. GPG!
Stroh
July 29, 2021 at 06:18 pm
It says simply, they needed depth at OT. A swing OT helps protect Rodgers in case of injury at OT. Outside chance he starts at LT ahead of Jenkins while Bahktiari is out.
mnbadger
July 29, 2021 at 07:36 pm
I sure hope you're right.
Leatherhead
July 28, 2021 at 05:30 pm
Being certain we can line up capable blockers is priority #1. If Rodgers is protected, and there are holes to run through, then this offense is going to score.
jannesbjornson
July 28, 2021 at 06:13 pm
Passing Lanes.
packer132
July 28, 2021 at 05:54 pm
I'm surprised, and that probably says Packers are not sold on the options in camp. There are 16 linemen, though many are strictly guard or center. I thought on paper this was the deepest position going into the season. Newman (4th rd) is big, and has played T and G, though still a rookie. Bakh may be out for the first 3 or 4 weeks, and Gute looks to improve the team constantly. Can't fault the move, and the best five linemen will open the season against the Saints.
Gman1976
July 28, 2021 at 06:14 pm
I wonder what this says about the FO's confidence in our OTs?
Slim11
July 29, 2021 at 09:27 am
Jenkins lined up at LT yesterday according some reports.
mnbadger
July 30, 2021 at 02:46 pm
Gman76, touche!
89Chewy
July 28, 2021 at 06:35 pm
We now have really good depth on the line. With so many offensive linemen and only so many roster spots available, i could see a trade before the regular season. Good, big men are a premium in this league and the Pack now have some capital in this department.
flackcatcher
July 28, 2021 at 07:51 pm
It's a classic Gute move. Find a veteran with some gas left in his tank, and plug him in. Hard to complain about a GM who is "all in" in protecting his QB.
rememberWhitehurst
July 28, 2021 at 08:03 pm
His resume doesn't seem to say he's a guy who should have still been available. I really wonder why he was.
packer132
July 28, 2021 at 08:40 pm
Don't know, but he started all 16 games last year and graded out almost exactly as Billy Turner. He was released with a couple of teammates, I am guessing to clear cap space. He also played under LaFleur in 2018, and maybe he can earn a starting job at tackle.
stockholder
July 28, 2021 at 08:46 pm
Billy turner is going back to Guard. Because Patrick will be the starting center. They'll then work the rookie in.
Stroh
July 29, 2021 at 01:23 pm
You'll forgive us if we take it with a grain of salt. You've been wrong on virtually every OL spot so far! Jenkins at LT. Turner was much better at RT, than he was RG, so he stays put. They drafted a Center in rd 2, so he's among the top 5 OL and will start.
You must like being wrong! It seems to be how you roll. LMAO
Roadrunner23
July 28, 2021 at 10:13 pm
A wild day man, a wild day indeed
Since'61
July 28, 2021 at 10:13 pm
Good move grabbing up a veteran OT. You can never have enough big guys up front especially those who have good NFL experience.
Why can’t we find the DL version of Kelly and get some help for Clark? Another quality DL is our only weak spot
at this point. That and STs of course. GPG.
Thanks, Since ‘61
HaroldDrake
July 29, 2021 at 12:55 am
Dear S61,
I also cannot understand how the Packers have not been able to acquire a top defensive lineman to add to the pass rush. We have a new run-stuffing DL but where's the Julius Peppers, Aaron Kampman type whose acquisition would unleash Clark as you correctly point out?
Go Pack Go!
blacke00
July 29, 2021 at 07:06 am
Agree, where is the D-line depth help?
I have a question why draft over the last 2 years 6 O-line men and now bring in a obviously more expensive veteran? You can't draft and develop these 6 O-line (plus FA)! No space on the roster. Why draft all these similar position player when you know (or should know) the (draftees) don't have a snowballs chance in hell of making the team. Why waste draft choices on the O-line when you have deficiencies on other positions on the team?
I don't get it.
Since'61
July 29, 2021 at 09:29 am
I don't get it either. It could that Bak's recovery will take longer than expected or that they don't have confidence that their other backup OTs are ready to step up and get the job done if necessary.
I would think that out of the 6 OLs drafted one or two of them could have been DLs who might have been able to improve the DL? Maybe as Rodgers says, "It's a beautiful mystery how and/or why the FO makes their decisions.
Thanks, Since '61
Since'61
July 29, 2021 at 09:35 am
Harold - we've seen this before. For years the TT regime ignored the safety position, then RB and of course ILB forever.
Now in the Gute era we're ignoring DL and still ignoring ILB. It doesn't make sense to me.
I give Gute credit for making moves like Kelly to improve the OL but it seems that we never make similar moves to improve either DL or ILB.
If nothing else we should be looking for players who support Kenny Clark on the DL even if it's just on a rotational basis. Thanks, Since '61
Johnblood27
July 29, 2021 at 07:37 am
This looks like a move with future views in it.
Turner is average at best. He will be GONE after this season and his piss-poor performance in the NFCCG was overshadowed by King and Aaron Jones mistakes, but I remember, Turner was a turnstile against better competition and he still stinks, just like his first season in GB.
All the young guys will be stashed on the PS with 2022 and beyond in mind. Great strategy I think. They are all in the mold of what MLF wants for his dream scheme and everything will be available for him starting in 2022 when the "purge" of the last of TT-MM players is over.
This hybrid (MLF-MM/TT) team has proven to be capable, but not of championship caliber. Hope that changes in 2022 and beyond. I still see a choker at QB for this season, no SB here.
packer132
July 29, 2021 at 08:27 am
I agree with a post above about drafting 6 OL plus free agents on the line. A couple will be stashed on the practice squad but I think they could easily be plucked by another team. Kelly could start but is 31 and signed a one year deal.
LambeauPlain
July 29, 2021 at 09:50 am
Kelly is like comprehensive coverage on your car. Ask KC how a few more versatile linemen on the roster may have made the SB more enjoyable.
LambeauPlain
July 29, 2021 at 10:04 am
When a team gets to TWO straight NCFCCG....they are of Championship caliber.
You are being unfair to Turner. He plays G better than T, but he is a solid lineman. I am pleased he has been on the team.
The missed 2020 SB was not due to Turner. Not having Bahkt and losing AJ the entire second half plus a banged up King getting torched at the end of the 2nd quarter, and jaw dropping missed plays at the goal line kept the Pack from a chance to win another Lombardi with their 5 pt deficit.
As good as they were in 2020, on paper they look better now. I don't thinks this is a "hybrid" team. I think this is a team built by Gutey listening to Matt's needs for the roster.
Stroh
July 29, 2021 at 06:31 pm
Half the team will be gone next year. Possibly including Turner, even though he's easily been worth his contract. They are likely to be about 40M over next years cap.
Rodgers, P Smith, maybe Z Possibly Turner. It's going to be a bitter pill next year!
WMA
July 29, 2021 at 08:31 am
This was an all in move for 2021. While there are lots of young linemen with promise this is not the year to learn on the field. As stated above the best five linemen will start and this guy is likely one of them. If not, we have a swing veteran tackle who we all probably wished was available to us for the NFC championship game last year.
LambeauPlain
July 29, 2021 at 09:45 am
Kelly is an upgrade from Rick Wagner and Veldheer. Having veteran depth at T is shrewd, wise, prudent, important, essential, strategic, etc, etc...
Seems David is going to be brought back very cautiously...wise...and this in no way precludes a young OL from earning a starting T spot until David is full go....but it increases the competition and options for the BEST 5 to plow the road and keep 12 clean.
My bet is 10 OL will be on the 53. Matt truly values lots of versatile OL.
jannesbjornson
July 29, 2021 at 08:24 pm
Bhak is only six months removed from the surgery. He is a PUP candidate until October, maybe later.