The new training team rules for the 2020 season provided an opportunity for the Green Bay Packers to add valuable insurance and offensive attack options to the playoff.
Jared Veldheer, who became available as a free agent after playing two games as a training squad elevation for the Indianapolis Colts, will sign with the Packers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Veldheer was not on the Colts 53-player list and became eligible to sign with any team after Indianapolis lost to Buffalo Bills on Saturday. The new rules this season allowed teams to hire veterans for the training squad, and all players in the training squad were allowed two upgrades in the game squad.
The Packers, needing more depth in the offensive attack after losing David Bakhtiari to an injury at the end of the season, took the opportunity to add veteran help in a key position as Veldheer’s transition from the Colts’ training team officially ended .
Veldheer started as a left tackle in place of Anthony Castonzo for the Colts in Week 17 and the AFC Wild Card Round. Last season, Veldheer arrived in Green Bay in December and played a vital role as a reserve behind Bryan Bulaga on the right throw. He played in two games, one as Bulaga’s replacement in Week 17 in Detroit and the other as Bulaga’s starter during the NFC Divisional Round against the Seattle Seahawks.
Packers now have options. In week 17, coach Matt LaFleur decided to have Billy Turner play on the right and Rick Wagner on the right. Turner can also play on any guard, and Wagner is still dealing with a knee injury. LaFleur is always trying to find his top five starting points, especially given all the versatility in his offensive line room, and Veldheer adds another variable to the mix. If he wants to scramble the line, or Turner or Wagner is injured, LaFleur now has an experienced offensive attack option in Veldheer, who can play anywhere on the line and knows the attack.
This is the type of subscription that can make the difference between being one and ready and a race in the Super Bowl. Protecting the defender is vital in every game, but especially in the postseason, where only a bad move – or a bad injury – can torpedo a season.
Veldheer played two full games on the left tackle for the Colts and did not give up on a sack. Even at the age of 33 and without playing for the first 15 weeks of the season, he remained well in a key position in big games.
The Packers now head into Saturday’s divisional round clash with the Los Angeles Rams with three experienced offensive tackles they can rely on, including two – Veldheer and Turner – who can probably play both left and right tackles. Most teams, even some playoff teams, do not have two quality options in the offensive tackle. The Packers have three, not to mention the five-time All-Pro in the injured reserve.
With Veldheer, GM Brian Gutekunst has now added three veterans in the last month – including Tavon Austin and Snacks Harrison – capable of playing key roles and helping Packers win in the Super Bowl. Losing Bakhtiari still hurts, but adding Veldheer certainly lessens the blow.