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In recent memory, the Packers have often had great offensive lines to protect their quarterbacks and pave the way for their running game. Many games are won and lost in the trenches. As we've seen with our division rivals and other teams in the NFL, it doesn't matter who you have at quarterback or who they have for weapons. If a quarterback can't stay upright, they can't get the ball to their weapons. An offensive line with holes won't hold up when it matters the most.
Though you could have a solid five offensive linemen, that might not be enough. What happens in the event one of those linemen goes down? The Packers figured that out quickly in their playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles this past year. They lost both left guard, Elgton Jenkins, and Center Josh Myers to injury in the game. At first, Elgton Jenkins was replaced by Travis Glover. Glover committed three penalties and was just not taking well to the assignment, so he was pulled in favor of Kadeem Telfort, who wasn't much of an upgrade. Glover then made his way back into the game when Josh Myers was injured and right guard Sean Rhyan had to move to Center. So, Glover replaced Jenkins, Telfort replaced Glover, Rhyan replaced Myers, and Glover replaced Rhyan. That's a brutal turn of events for an offensive line that had been doing well up to that point.
Unfortunately, the Packers' offensive line was already missing Andre Dillard due to concussion, and Jordan Morgan was on IR due to a recurring shoulder injury. So, they were pretty much down to their only solid five linemen without a decent replacement to pick up the slack against the eventual Super Bowl Champions.
You can never have enough good offensive linemen. The Packers started the season with at least seven linemen they felt comfortable putting on the field in any situation. Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom starting at Tackle, Elgton Jenkins and Sean Rhyan starting at Guard, Josh Myers at Center, and then Andre Dillard as a swing tackle and Jordan Morgan as a versatile swing lineman, but mainly lining up at Guard. They had a solid group until injuries took their toll. That is why this offseason, they've already made sure to keep that line strong.
Solidifying the Protection
The departure of Center Josh Myers was the first domino to fall for the Packers' offensive line this offseason. It was surprising and unsurprising at the same time, given that Myers was a favorite in the locker room and the front office but had his struggles the past few seasons. Second-year Center/Guard Jacob Monk isn't thought of as ready yet to take over, so Josh Myers' replacement needs to be found. Andre Dillard is an unrestricted free agent as well, and while he still could be brought back, his future isn't currently known at this time. So, having two holes to fill that make up the reliable offensive line unit, the Packers have already gotten to work.
Yesterday, during the legal tampering period, it was announced that the Packers were bringing in Aaron Banks from the 49ers on a four-year deal. Banks has started 49 games at left guard and has appeared in 9 during his rookie season as a backup lineman. At 6'5" and 325 pounds, Banks is a dominating presence on the inside of the offensive line. He's anchored by raw power but is also very athletic for his size, which will pay off in the Packers' zone blocking scheme, allowing him to pull and get to defenders quickly. Banks also fits the Packers' mold for having a good locker room presence, as he was well-liked by his teammates in San Francisco.
The current idea being tossed around is that Banks will slide into the Left Guard position with the Packers, allowing Elgton Jenkins to shift to Center to replace Josh Myers. While this isn't confirmed, this would make a lot of sense in allowing the Packers to have their best five linemen on the field.
But where will this leave last year's first-round draft pick Jordan Morgan? Morgan was looking to be coming into his own before injury ended his season. I can't see the Packers making him just a swing lineman, considering that investment. Do they start him at right guard? If so, what happens to Sean Rhyan? Do they start him in his original college position at Left Tackle? Well then, what happens to Rasheed Walker?
Both Walker and Rhyan may be too valuable at this point to be swing linemen. With both linemen due for new contracts after next season, it will be interesting to see if the Packers decide to perhaps explore trading one of them to capitalize on their value instead of just losing them. They could pick up another swing lineman on a rookie contract on day two or early day three of the NFL draft.
Either way, the Packers' offensive line looks to be in a good place for 2025 after the signing of Aaron Banks and will likely be solidified even further in the draft.
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Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz and Bluesky @gmeinholz.bsky.social for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.
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