Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, during his end of season press conference, told reporters that it was high time that his team start seriously competing for Super Bowls. After a two-year rebuild that saw the team move on from Aaron Rodgers in favor of Jordan Love, as well as get younger at nearly every position on the field, the time has come for some serious roster moves.
The good news for the Packers is that they made the NFL Playoffs in each year of their rebuild. That is an impressive accomplishment, especially considering they were the youngest team in the NFL in both seasons.
But there will be tough decisions that have to be made concerning which players are retained and which are allowed to leave, whether it be in free agency, roster cuts, or via trade. One position group that is not getting much attention from the media and fans, but will almost certainly look different, is the offensive line.
The Green Bay Packers Have a Big Decision to Make on the Offensive Line
Last season, Matt LaFleur made a big change in his offensive scheme. Since Green Bay signed running back Josh Jacobs in free agency, the Packers went from a pass-first offense to a run-dependent offense. And while Jacobs had a Pro Bowl season, rushing 301 times for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, the offensive line did not grade well in run blocking.
Indeed, right tackle Zach Tom, who is up for a contract extension this offseason, was the only lineman who was an above-average run blocker. The rest of the team, well, was below average.
This was especially true of center Josh Myers, who had a 52.2 run blocking grade per PFF, which ranked 54th out of 64 centers. To make matters worse, for Myers at least, was that his 63.4 pass blocking grade was just 37th out of 64 centers.
The fact of the matter is that Myers, while providing solid pass protection, is not a good run blocker, and he has not improved in this aspect during his four-year NFL career
Green Bay Packers Center Josh Myers Will Have a Strong Market in NFL Free Agency
Myers is entering free agency this offseason, and Green Bay is not expected to bring him back. There are rumblings that Zach Tom or Elgton Jenkins could move to center, but it is also possible that the Packers address the position in the draft or utilize a player like Jacob Monk or Sean Rhyan.
As for Myers, he will not be out of a job long if/when the Packers decide not to offer him a second contract. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently wrote that rumblings at the NFL Scouting Combine indicate the 2021 second-round draft pick will have more than his fair share of suitors should he hit free agency:
“Packers center Josh Myers has started 50 games for Green Bay since 2022, so he should have a strong market, too. While Myers went down for what appeared to be a significant injury in the playoffs, I’m told he came out of the game unscathed and has no injury from the play. He’s getting no treatment and is completely healthy entering free agency.”
Last offseason, the Packers allowed Jon Runyan Jr. to leave for the New York Giants and a deal that pays him $10 million a year. While Myers has a good relationship with Love, all signs point to a different player manning the position in 2025.
