[ Video ] Green Bay Packers Kickoff In 71 Days Profiling No.71 Josh Sitton

Green Bay Packers football is just 71 days away. Let’s take a look at No. 71 for the Packers, offensive lineman Josh Sitton. Josh Sitton doesn’t get much love from the casual fan, but his play at the heart of the Packers offensive line is critical to the success of the entire offense. Along with T.J. Lang, the Packers boast the best guard tandem in the entire league. READ MORE: Profiling Jared Cook, the Packers’ free agency splash This is an important year for Sitton, the last of his contract. Packers fans, make the most of him, because this could be his final act in Green Bay. An unsung hero up front It’s amazing really how so many giant men go unnoticed by fans when watching the game. Those that do take their eye off the ball will see just how good of a football player Sitton is and what he means for the Packers offense. Sitton helps protect Aaron Rodgers from interior rushers, and he also plays a key role in opening running lanes for Eddie Lacy. Center Corey Linsley was thrown in at the deep end as a rookie two years ago. Linsley’s first snap with Aaron Rodgers in a game situation came in the hostile environment of Seattle against one of the league’s very best defenses. Linsley more than held his own and continued to do so all season long. He of course deserves the credit for his own success, but it sure helps being in between two of the best guards in the league. In 2015, Sitton was ranked sixth among 81 graded guards by Pro Football Focus. His 88.8 grade was good for the ‘Pro Bowler’ category — he graded 88.1 in pass blocking and 83.4 in run blocking. Sitton has played through various injuries and truly is the ironman along the Packers’ offensive line. He’s as tough as nails and is easily one of the very best to play the position. Contract status Sitton is entering the final year of his contract, which forces the Packers into a tough spot. Fellow linemen Lang, David Bakhtiari and JC Tretter are also set to hit free agency. Can the Packers keep Sitton in town? Aaron Rodgers would certainly hope so. What to expect in 2016? This could be Sitton’s best year yet. He’s lost some weight in the offseason and is in great shape. His reasoning for doing so was so that he can spend more time of the practice field after being forced out of many practices last season. Not only will this help Sitton’s performance, but the fact he’s on a contract year will add an extra incentive.