The Green Bay Packers face uncertainty at the center position as we head into the coming offseason. Josh Myers was the starter last season, but he is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next month unless GM Brian Gutekunst signs him to a new contract. But the Packers do have other options at center because of the way the team values versatility with their offensive linemen and for their tendency to select multiple offensive linemen each year in the NFL Draft. Here is a look at the Packers starting center candidates for 2025. They are not in any particular order and include only players on the current roster.
Packers Starting Center Candidates for 2025, Number Five: Josh Myers
The simplest thing the Packers can do is to re-sign Myers to a new contract. The team has plenty of cap room so that shouldn’t be an obstacle to bringing Myers back. The Packers like Myers’ toughness and leadership and he has a good relationship with quarterback Jordan Love.
Myers will turn 27 in July and should have several more productive seasons ahead of him. The ultimate question is whether Myers is good enough to justify a second contract with the team, or if any of the alternatives presently on the roster would be as good as Myers with the potential to get better. Almost any of the alternatives would be cheaper under the cap.
Number Four: Jacob Monk
The Packers selected Jacob Monk in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Duke star played 10 games in his rookie campaign, but did not take a single snap on offense this season. He was on the field for 43 plays with all of them coming on special teams.
The big question is whether Monk is ready to be the starter. The Packers have a good track record of drafting offensive linemen on day three of the NFL Draft. Among the day three picks who became starters on the offensive line are Corey Linsley, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Jon Runyan, David Bakhtiari, and T.J. Lang.
If Monk can take over as the starter, the Packers can maintain as much continuity as possible without bringing back Myers.
Packers Starting Center Candidates for 2025, Number Three: Zach Tom
Moving Zach Tom to center remains an option, but it doesn’t make much sense. Tom has been the team’s best offensive lineman the last two seasons according to Pro Football Focus.
Tom remains a Pro Bowl-caliber right tackle and his value at that position would be higher than his value at center. In addition, tackles get paid more than centers and Tom would want to be paid as a tackle whether he is moved to center or remains on the perimeter of the line.
The Packers would then need to add a quality right tackle, or they would be making one position significantly weaker to strengthen a less highly regarded position along the line.
Number Two: Sean Rhyan
Sean Rhyan became a starter at right guard last season after being a backup his first two NFL campaigns. Rhyan surprised many people by beating out first round pick Jordan Morgan for the job.
Rhyan has experience at center and took snaps there during preseason games and in training camp.
If Rhyan moves to center, Morgan can easily move to right guard, the position the team had him competing at in training camp last season. Rhyan has the toughness and leadership that the coaching staff likes and plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is not the team’s top-rated guard so if they had to move one guard to tackle, Rhyan makes the most sense.
Packers Starting Center Candidates for 2025, Number One: Elgton Jenkins
When Myers missed one game this season, the Packers moved Elgton Jenkins to center. The former Mississippi State star started several games at center in college and can play all five positions along the offensive line effectively.
Jenkins did struggle with snaps in the one game he started at center but that can be due in part to rustiness. He would need to show he can still play the position at a high level.
The drawback to moving Jenkins remains that he is the team’s best guard. The Packers could move Morgan into the starting lineup to replace Jenkins or switch Rhyan to left guard as an alternative. But moving Rhyan to center makes more sense as this would not weaken the guard position as much as moving Jenkins.
Either way, the Packers have several options with players who are already on their roster. They can also add a center in the draft or sign one in free agency, although it’s unlikely Gutekunst will break the bank to add a center. It will be an interesting offseason in Green Bay.
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