The Green Bay Packers offensive line got off to a rough start against the Detroit Lions, even against Detroit’s battered D-line.
Things looked even hairier once right guard Sean Rhyan exited the game in the first half after a collision with Kwon Alexander. Thankfully, Rhyan returned to the lineup, and the offensive line did a better job in the second half.
But what was most interesting was how the Packers handled the absence. Down Rhyan, the Packers had to turn to backup tackle Kadeem Telfort. While the 6’7″, 322 lbs. human held up fine enough on the interior, we must figure out what’s going on with Green Bay’s interior offensive line depth.
Kadeem Telfort in at right guard for the Packers is 6’7 tall.
He has 99.9th percentile height for a guard. Genuinely might be the tallest ever player to take snaps at guard in NFL history.
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) December 6, 2024
Thankfully, with Rhyan able to return and finish the game, the Packers still have their preferred starting five offensive linemen healthy. But injuries in the trenches are common, and it was a bit of a wake-up call to realize how thin the Packers are in the interior.
Earlier in the season, the Packers shuffled their lineup around to deal with injuries. When center Josh Myers missed time, Elgton Jenkins moved to center while first-round rookie Jordan Morgan entered the lineup at guard. Morgan wasn’t a preferred starter but shared snaps at right guard with Rhyan as the Packers looked to get their first-round pick some action and find their ideal rotation.
That seemed to work in the short term. But since then, Morgan has dealt with a shoulder injury that landed him on IR in mid-November. With Morgan’s return unclear, Green Bay is without its starting-caliber guard.
With Morgan no longer an option, fifth-round rookie Jacob Monk presumably would be Green Bay’s primary interior backup.
Monk played almost everywhere at Duke. While right guard was probably his best spot, he also played everything but left tackle in his five years of college ball. That versatility and experience are priceless traits for a backup lineman, and it looked like Monk would be an ideal candidate for Lucas Patrick‘s former role.
Unfortunately, even without other options, Monk hasn’t gotten opportunities. Green Bay has consistently healthy scratched him for the past few weeks. The Packers probably have bigger depth concerns at other positions, and they can’t dress everyone on Sundays. Still, it’s wild the team has no interior backups. With a deep collegiate resumé, Monk’s experience looked like he’d be able to fill in as needed as a rookie, but that hasn’t been the case.
Most of Green Bay’s starters have multipositional capability, so they probably feel better about shuffling their starters around and throwing a backup tackle into the game than dedicating someone to the interior.
Zach Tom can play anywhere, and his best spot was a common conversation topic this offseason. But he’s playing All-Pro level football at right tackle, so the Packers probably don’t want to move him.
Jenkins already played center this season. Though he and Jordan Love weren’t on the same page with snaps, Jenkins is still the preferred backup center option.
Per PFF, Elgton Jenkins was the only O-lineman for the Packers to not allow a single pressure, QB hit, hurry, or sack.
That's how you expect your Pro Bowl-caliber guard to play against a top-5 DVOA defense.
— Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) December 6, 2024
Rhyan has cemented himself as a quality starter at right guard and showed potential as a center in the preseason. While the Packers would look to Jenkins at center should Myers miss more time, they could also feel comfortable with Rhyan there.
After a strong start to his season, Myers has been inconsistent again and is coming off one of his worst games in Detroit. While Myers could play guard in a pinch, it’s hard to see Green Bay moving him from center unless catastrophe occurs.
I won't be shocked if they go with Rasheed Walker – Elgton Jenkins – Sean Rhyan – Jordan Morgan – Zach Tom at some point this season if Myers doesn't get back on track really quick here.
— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) December 6, 2024
With so much versatility, the Packers can be creative when injuries strike. However, continuity is one of the biggest factors in offensive line success. That’s likely why Matt LaFleur used Telfort as a guard rather than shuffle the lineup and have him play at tackle.
There’s also a big difference between plugging a hole midgame and having the week to prepare for a missing lineman. Perhaps the coaching staff was confident enough that Rhyan would return to the game without shuffling the lineup.
Still, it’s interesting that the Packers would use a tackle at guard rather than have Monk, their top available interior option, active.
Telfort did play some snaps at right guard in the offseason. However, at 6’7”, Telfort is much more suited to play tackle.
On the one hand, interior offensive line depth isn’t a major issue for the team. It wasn’t a factor in why Green Bay lost to the Lions; it was more of an interesting realization. The Packers are among the best teams at finding and developing offensive linemen.
On the other hand, in past postseason losses, the Packers have mismanaged their backup O-line plans to disastrous effect. If anyone misses serious time, it’s a situation to monitor.
Perhaps that close call in Detroit will lead to Monk being active in future games. Maybe Morgan will return to the lineup sooner rather than later and give the Packers a promising option. Perhaps it doesn’t matter; everyone stays healthy, and I am very stupid. Either way, it’s a situation worth monitoring.