Packers lineman Jon Runyan weighs in on impressive 2021 feat, repeating success
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jon Runyan recently learned from his father, Jon Runyan Sr., that he didn’t give up a penalty during the 2021 season. The feat made him one of four linemen in the league to play 800+ snaps without a flag last year.
However impressive the stat is, Runyan says he hardly thought about it as the year went on.
“It wasn’t something I really thought about,” Runyan told Packers.com. “I was just trying to play ball. There definitely were some questionable times I could have gotten called for the flag. Sometimes it’s just luck that breaks your way.”
Runyan made his first start at left guard last season, which was just his second year in the league. The Packers drafted him with the No. 192 overall pick out of Michigan in 2020.
In his interview, the former Wolverine was quick to point out that he actually got away with a penalty early in the year versus Cincinnati.
“The guy beat me inside, and I held him,” Runyan admitted. “He threw me off but then at the last second he stuck his leg out and tripped (Dillon) up the middle. It was definitely a flag on me, but they saw the tripping and that kind of overruled it and they threw the flag on him. That was probably my closest call.
“I lucked out on that one.”
Runyan hoping for long, consistent NFL career
After going 13-4 with the Packers in 2021, Jon Runyan credits quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his effective, yet complicated, offensive cadence.
“We always try to say that the cadence is our weapon,” Runyan said. “We have so many and use so many, and it helps us get a jump off the ball, keep the defense guessing, not letting them tee off on us.
“With our silent cadence (on the road), Aaron … just the way he does it, it’s very complicated, but once you get it, you’re able to use it. We all love it. It’s very unique for sure. It’s not like one I’ve ever learned. We have a bunch of different silent cadences too, and we use them all.”
Runyan knows he won’t be able to keep up his penalty-free streak for much longer, but there’s another streak he’s really eyeing.
“My dad, he played 14 seasons, but 12 of them he played 16 straight games,” Runyan said. “I started 16 games last year, and hopefully I’ll be able to try to compete with him and keep that streak going.”