The Green Bay Packers have important decisions to make this offseason on potential free agents. The Packers have plenty of cap space to work with and GM Brian Gutekunst can free up more cap space by restructuring some player contracts. One player the team needs to decide on is center Josh Myers. Today we examine why the Packers should or should not bring Myers back in 2025.
Why the Packers Should Re-Sign C Josh Myers
Myers spent the last four seasons with the Packers. He’s been the starting center for the team from the time he first arrived in Green Bay in 2021. Myers only played six games as a rookie due to injuries, but since then, he’s missed only one game in the last three seasons.
Like most Packers offensive linemen, Myers has graded out stronger as a pass blocker than a run blocker. He graded out as average in pass protections and below average when blocking for the run. Pro Football Focus graded the former Ohio State star near the bottom of the 40 qualified centers they graded in 2024.
The Packers organization believes in Myers a lot more than PFF does. They appreciate Myers’ consistency, availability, and leadership. “I thought he had his best year,” Gutekunst said shortly after the Packers playoff loss to the Eagles. “He dealt with some things during this year that were tough, and I thought he fought through it like a champion. He’s certainly an asset to our football team. I know Jordan [Love] trusts him very much as his center. He’s a UFA, so we’ll see where all that goes, but I can’t say enough good things about Josh Myers, not only as a player but as a leader. He really does embody a Green Bay Packer and kind of what we’re looking for.”
The offensive line relies on chemistry and continuity. The Packers were fortunate that there were minimal injuries during the season. Myers missed one game, and the offensive line felt his absence. Guard Elgton Jenkins moved to center while first round pick Jordan Morgan got his only start at guard. The offensive line struggled in that game.
Statistically, the Packers offensive line played well this season. Quarterbacks Jordan Love and Malik Willis were sacked only 22 times in 17 games. The running game was fifth in the NFL in yards gained and sixth in average yards per carry. Myers contributed to that success.
Why the Packers Should Not Re-Sign C Josh Myers
The offensive line is a weak link system. That means the defense will take advantage of the weakest link at the position and exploit it. We saw this early in the playoff loss to the Eagles when Jenkins got hurt. The Eagles were able to disrupt the Packers offense because of the team’s weakness at left guard.
Myers grades out as the weakest link among the Packers offensive line. The team should be able to upgrade by replacing Myers with a cheaper, and potentially better replacement.
The Packers value versatility along the offensive line. They already have several players who are capable of taking over at center. They include Jenkins, Zach Tom, and 2024 rookie Jacob Monk. The team would be reluctant to move Jenkins and Tom and Monk may not be ready yet after not taking a snap on offense during his rookie campaign. Tom and Jenkins are the team’s best offensive linemen and moving to center would mean a reduction in pay for Tom who will still want to be paid like a right tackle.
The Packers could also add a free agent center, trade for one, or add one or more players in the 2025 draft who could play the position. Rookies usually mean learning curves, but again, Myers’ replacement could struggle a bit early but then surpass Myers’ level of play by midseason.
What Josh Myers Would Cost the Packers
Cost may be another reason the Packers choose to move on from Myers. His cap hit in 2024 was $3.47 million dollars. As a UFA, he will be seeking a substantial raise from that number.
Last season, the Packers faced a similar situation with starting right guard Jon Runyan. While Runyan indicated he may have been open to staying in Green Bay, he eventually signed a free agent deal with the New York Giants for $30 million over three years. The Packers replaced Runyan with Sean Rhyan who was still on a rookie contract and therefore much cheaper. Rhyan played roughly as well as Runyan, perhaps even better.
If Myers can get more money on the open market, the Packers should let him walk. While Myers gives the Packers consistency and leadership at center, he isn’t worth anything close to $10 million per season. Value matter and the Packers cannot overpay for a non-star player like Myers. For that reason, it’s more likely Myers is playing elsewhere in 2025.
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