For years, the frozen tundra has been protected by a literal and figurative wall of stability. But as the mud settles on the opening weeks of the 2026 free agency period, that wall looks less like a fortress and more like a construction site.
The departure of Elgton Jenkins is the headline that stings the most. Jenkins wasn't just a Pro Bowl talent; he was the unit’s Swiss Army knife. Seeing him pull on a Cleveland jersey marks the end of an era.
When you pair his exit with Rasheed Walker’s decision to join Carolina — a player who, despite a dip to a 63.0 Pro Football Focus grade last season, provided reliable starts — the Packers find themselves in a precarious position. They are officially “thin” at the most important position group on the roster.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is signaling a massive bet on internal development. By extending Sean Rhyan, the front office is clinging to the one piece of continuity they have left in the interior. Rhyan’s 59.0 PFF grade from 2025 suggests there is significant room for growth, particularly in pass protection where he struggled with a 38.5 mark, but his 66.7 run-blocking grade offers a glimmer of the “mauler” the Packers hope he becomes as the full-time center. It’s a huge gamble the Packers are making for someone to be the quarterback of the offensive line.
“I thought he got better each game,” said Gutekunst about Rhyan. “It was about Game 3 or 4 starting at center, he was playing at a very high level.”
Gutekunst is right, Rhyan’s play did improve, but he also had five poor pass blocking games afterwards. He played 87 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 17 vs. Baltimore and it turned out to be the worst game of the season by far.
The current projected depth chart reveals the magnitude of this facelift:
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The anchor remains Zach Tom. His elite 83.5 PFF grade (7th among all NFL tackles) is the only thing keeping this unit in the top half of league conversations. Opposite him, the pressure shifts to Jordan Morgan. While his overall grade was a modest 62.0, his 83.6 pass-blocking grade when playing tackle late last year suggests he is ready to protect Jordan Love’s blindside.
However, the interior is a minefield of "sub-60" grades. Both Aaron Banks and sophomore Anthony Belton are looking to bounce back from disappointing 2025 campaigns. If this group doesn't gel quickly, Love—who is now playing on a $39.5 million guarantee — might find his pocket collapsing faster than a Wisconsin snowbank in April.
The “D” grade recently handed down by analysts isn't just about who left; it’s about the vacuum they left behind. As we look toward the draft, the mandate is clear: The Packers cannot afford to “best player available” their way through the first round. They must find another cornerstone to ensure this “Green Line” doesn't break.