As we get deeper into the training camp, the Green Bay Packers are still trying to figure out their ideal offensive line alignment.
We expected four spots to be set, with a battle between Zach Tom and Yosh Nijman at right tackle. But the situation appears more fluid. Tom has been getting first-team reps at not only right tackle but center as well. Meanwhile, a day-to-day practice schedule for David Bakhtiari means Nijman has spent plenty of time at left tackle. And an illness kept Elgton Jenkins out for Family Night, with Royce Newman filling it at left guard.
This means the Green Bay coaching staff is still figuring out not only its preferred starting alignment but also their top backups. That’s good news for sophomore lineman Sean Rhyan, who is trying to find a role after his disastrous rookie year.
Rhyan saw minimal snaps as a rookie and faced a six-game suspension for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy. But the former UCLA standout is looking to prove he can break Green Bay’s apparent third-round pick curse and become a valuable team member. Rhyan looks to be making the right moves to get back in the team’s good graces and find a long-term role.
Rhyan was an intriguing selection in the 2022 draft. Despite playing his entire college career at left tackle, his build was primed for a move to the interior, and we know the Packers love moving tackles to guards. Rhyan had some Josh Sitton-like qualities that made him an early favorite to compete for a guard job, or at least as a favored backup.
That obviously didn’t happen, but Rhyan is looking for a fresh start in Year 2.
While Rhyan isn’t entirely sure what led to his suspension, he’s taken full responsibility for it.
“Whatever happened, happened,” Rhyan said. “We’re past it now. We’re focused on this year.”
Rhyan said he’ll better work with the team’s staff in terms of what he puts into his body, and that goes further than potential PED risks. Rhyan prioritized getting into better shape for his sophomore season, losing weight and adding muscle to better compete in the NFL.
“In college, you can eat just about everything, like Jack-In-The-Box all the time and still be able to play,” Rhyan said. “Now, it’s more of a natural diet: fruits, nuts, lean meats.
“I feel good, I’ve got good energy, feel better, feel like my body is a different composition than it was last year, not as fat. I’m still an O-lineman, though. I’m trying to find that balance — how fat can I be, and how skinny do I need to be, and still be effective?”
So far, Rhyan’s efforts are paying off. The former tackle has been one of the most dominant players in one-on-ones. As of the end of Thursday’s practice, Rhyan was 8-0 in those battles, though admittedly against second- and third-team defensive linemen. But, notably, Rhyan looked like one of the few linemen able to stand up against fellow 2022 draft pick Devonte Wyatt, who has been a terror in one-on-ones.
Rhyan’s next step will be finding a role to compete for. The Packers clearly aren’t happy with the center position. While a position battle never played out during OTAs, seemingly Josh Myers‘ job to lose, Rhyan saw some snaps at center.
Since then, center has become an open battle between Myers and Tom, and the team has also explored bringing in new backup center options. Rhyan could make headway by impressing there. Still, it seems like his best position is at guard. Both starting guard spots have been well-established at this point — Jenkins on the left and Jon Runyan Jr. on the right.
But we saw at Family Night either of those two missing time means Royce Newman at guard. Unfortunately, after starting in most of his rookie year, Newman doesn’t look like a preferred starting option. It’s good to have someone who knows the offense and has starting experience, but it feels like the Packers can upgrade there.
Rhyan’s first job should be proving he can handle that primary backup spot. He has a ways to go yet to earn it, but he has a higher ceiling than Newman or any of his other competitors. He’ll need to continue putting in the work and getting in the coaching staff’s good graces, but it’s too early to give up on a Day 2 draft pick.
If Rhyan can keep trending upward, there’s a clear path to a starting spot down the road. Green Bay clearly likes Tom at center or tackle, leaving Rhyan as the guard option from last year’s class. We aren’t sure how committed Green Bay is to Runyan, who is on the last year of his rookie contract. Runyan has been a reliable starter, but the team could let him walk and go for a younger, cheaper option.
Despite an abominable rookie year, Rhyan still has the chance to redeem himself and find a long-term role on this team. The beauty of a young offense is that there will be lots of ups and downs and opportunities to learn from mistakes and carve a role. Rhyan has been impressive in individual drills. Can he take the next step in the upcoming preseason games?
