The Green Bay Packers moved linebacker Brandon Chillar to outside linebacker earlier this preseason, but that experiment appears to be over.
Chillar was competing with Brad Jones for the starting spot opposite Clay Matthews, but didn’t do anything to distinguish himself, despite getting plenty of opportunities with Matthews on the shelf.
Chillar will remain a backup at outside linebacker, but is currently No. 4 on the depth chart behind Matthews, Jones and Brady Poppinga. At inside linebacker, Chillar will return to his traditional role and replace A.J. Hawk in the Packers nickel defense.
Desmond Bishop was bumped from that unit with Chillar’s return.
Chillar admitted he was struggling with the switch to outside linebacker earlier this week, saying he was humbled by the move.
“It’s a little tough because I’m good off the ball,” Chillar said. “I know what I’m doing and I like the way I look when I’m off the ball so it was a little humbling experience to go out there and see that, really, I have a ways to go. And so I’ve been trying to talk to (outside linebackers coach) Kevin (Greene) and try to get coached up.”
“… there’s a lot more technique than even I thought,” Chillar said. “And you have to think everyone else that’s rushing the passer has been doing it since high school and college and everything like that. I’ve been getting coached on pass rush for a week and a half now so like I said it’s humbling but at the same time I’m making gains and it’s continuing to get better.”
Those gains didn’t seem to be good enough for the coaching staff and it now looks like Jones is a lock to start for the Packers.
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