We are getting closer to training camp time, which means some relevant questions about the Green Bay Packers will soon be answered by the coaching staff. Meanwhile, let's discuss with our readers what's ahead in our weekly mailbag.
I have zero doubts that Elgton Jenkins is a better center than Josh Myers, especially in pass protection. The move from guard to center has proven to be easier for him, as he had 297 snaps at center in 2020, replacing Corey Linsley, and he was a solid piece.
The main question, though, is if Myers is really the weakest-link of the offensive line and if moving Jenkins allows the Packers to build their so-called "best five." It depends on how good first-round rookie Jordan Morgan will be from the get go, and if he fits what they need at left guard.
It also depends on how Sean Rhyan will develop being the primary starter at right guard. Last season, having basically half the snaps in the second part of the year, he was worse than Jon Runyan — even in the run game, despite a perception that it was his best attribute.
If Rhyan plays like he did in 2023, I'd rather keep Jenkings at left guard and Myers at center, creating a spot to put Morgan at right guard.
Beyond center, which I've written about this week and mentioned in the answer to Felipe above, I would still say that off-ball linebacker is a weakness. It might not be perceived as such because they have invested in it, but until we have clear indications evidencing otherwise, the group is not good.
Quay Walker is going into year 3 and hasn't come close to justifying his first-round status. Now, he's changing his position to play in the middle, and this is presumably not a good fit for his style. Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper are day 2 picks, so let's pump the brakes a little bit — so much so that they didn't have reps with the starters during the offseason program. Right now, the starters beyond Walker are Isaiah McDuffie and, if in base defense, Eric Wilson.
Linebacker is not an overly valuable position in today's NFL, but it is more important for Hafley's scheme than the average NFL defense. Therefore, it's something to keep an eye on, and something the Packers will have to solve along the way.
Matt LaFleur has certainly developed as an offensive mind because of his relationship with Aaron Rodgers, and how he was forced to adapt his scheme to what the old quarterback wanted and liked to do as well. But to me, the most important factor to differentiate LaFleur from Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay is his ability to truly develop a quarterback, and what he has shown with Jordan Love.
McVay did an excellent job at first at maximizing what Jared Goff could do, just like Shanahan is doing with Brock Purdy and Mike McDaniel is with Tua Tagovailoa. That being said, none of them has been as impactful to make their quarterback individually grow as much as LaFleur has with Love. The difference between what Love was as a prospect and what he showed in 2021 to what he became is astounding. Even though it's not Matt LaFleur alone, he does have a big part in the process, and he deserves recognition for that.
