Josh Sitton
Inducted: 2023
Guard: 2008-15
Height: 6-3; Weight: 318
College: Central Florida, 2004-07
Honors:
Years selected to an all-pro first team: 2014
Pro Bowl Selection (game played from 1950-2022): 2012, '14, '15
With his physical presence and all-around skills, Josh Sitton probably could have played guard in any era going back to at least the 1960s.
Someone who could have filled Jerry Kramer's role as a pulling guard in Vince Lombardi's signature power sweep; manhandled defensive tackles as both a run blocker and pass blocker, much like Gale Gillingham in the days of mano-a-mano offensive line play; and excelled, as he did, in the current zone-run schemes and punch-and-grab pass blocking techniques.
"A bulldozer in the run game and could pass protect," said Larry McCarren, a stalwart at center for the Packers from 1973-84 and a broadcast analyst for the team starting in 1995 and throughout Sitton's eight years in Green Bay. "I think he'd be prototypical in any time."
A three-year starter at Central Florida where he played mostly right tackle but also some guard, Sitton was projected as a guard by the Packers. "What attracted us most was he brings a lot of fire and energy," James Campen, former Packers offensive line coach, said at the time. "Tough guy. All the kid does is win. He's very, very effective pass blocking. Once he has his hands on you, he's Velcro."
As a rookie, Sitton suffered a knee injury in the preseason. Otherwise, he might have won a starting job. Instead, he played in 11 games and started just two. In his second season, Sitton took over as the starter at right guard and held the job for four seasons, missing only two games with a sprained knee in 2011.
By 2010, his third season, Sitton was widely considered the best offensive lineman on a Packers team that won Super Bowl XLV. Along with maturing into an overpowering run blocker, he allowed a mere two sacks that season.
"Josh is a Pro Bowl-caliber player," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said in late November while the Packers were in the midst of a four-game winning streak. "I hope that he starts getting the type of respect he deserves. He's a talented player. He may be our most underrated offensive lineman. But year in, year out, game in and game out, he plays his butt off."
Finally, in 2012, Sitton was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time. In 2013, he seamlessly moved to left guard and didn't miss a start there for the next three seasons.
More accolades followed. Sitton was named to the Associated Press' second all-pro team his last three seasons in Green Bay and was selected to two more Pro Bowls over that span. He also was credited with going 42 games from 2012-16 without allowing a sack.
"I mean, he could do everything," said Mike McCarthy, Packers head coach during Sitton's career. "He was built with a low center of gravity. His ability to bend with his balance, his core and leg strength, he was perfect for that position. Guys who play inside that don't limit you schematically from pulling or anything – that gives you a real advantage as a coach."
McCarthy said there were things about Sitton's game that reminded him of Will Shields, a guard for Kansas City from 1993-2006 who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. McCarthy was an assistant coach with the Chiefs during Shields' first six seasons.
"(Sitton's) one of the smartest, most instinctive linemen that I've seen," said McCarthy. "He reminds me of Will Shields in that category – his understanding of tendencies of the D-linemen, linebacker displacements. Yeah, his instincts, awareness and balance were his best attributes."
Coming out of college, one of Sitton's drawbacks in the eyes of scouts was his short arms. They were measured at 31¼ inches. But McCarthy said that was never an issue for Sitton because of his wide shoulders. In fact, McCarthy said after hitting the jackpot with Sitton, the Packers decided to prioritize wingspan over arm length in their scouting evaluations.
Sitton was cut by the Packers at the end of the preseason in 2016 and signed with Chicago. He started for the Bears for two more seasons and then finished his career playing in one game for Miami in 2018. Sitton started the season opener, tore his rotator cuff, went on injured reserve and announced his retirement following the season.
With the Packers, Sitton started 112 of 121 games. In addition, he started all 13 postseason games that the Packers played during that stretch.
Born June 16, 1986, in Jacksonville, Fla. Given name Josh James Sitton.
