The Green Bay Packers will start the 2025 NFL season with a difficult test right away in Week One. For the first time in the Matt LaFleur Era, they will host their first game of the season at home at Lambeau Field. However, that particular matchup pits the Packers against the Detroit Lions, who were 15-2 a year ago and beat Green Bay both times that they played each other.
As is the case every season, each NFL team does not have the same roster or coaching staff as the year previously. In addition to the Packers’ player personnel changes, they also have a new defensive line coach and quarterbacks coach.
The Lions, however, will have a new offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator after Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears) and Aaron Glenn (New York Jets) took head coaching jobs elsewhere in the league.
As it turns out, both teams, though, will have new starting centers come Week One.
The Green Bay Packers Moved on From Josh Myers in Favor of Elgton Jenkins
Green Bay Packers, Elgton Jenkins
Dec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) following the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Following the 2020 NFL season, All-Pro center Corey Linsley departed the Packers for the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. To replace him, Green Bay selected Josh Myers out of Ohio State. At the time, and certainly after, the pick was criticized by fans because Creed Humphrey, who many considered a better prospect, was still on the board.
In the four seasons since, Myers has been an adequate center. He is certainly a quality pass blocker, but did struggle mightily with run blocking. This, more than anything, is why the Packers decided to move on from him.
Humphrey, meanwhile, has made three Pro Bowls, been named a First Team All-Pro, and won two Super Bowls in his career.
With Myers gone (he signed with the New York Jets), Green Bay is moving two-time Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins to center, a position that he played in college. Jenkins, though, is not currently present at OTA’s as he tries to renegotiate his contract with the front office.
Detroit Lions Center Frank Ragnow Suddenly Retired
Green Bay Packers, Frank Ragnow
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs the ball as center Frank Ragnow (77) blocks Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Lions won the game, 24-14.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
On Monday, the Lions received the unexpected news that their center, Frank Ragnow, was retiring from the NFL. Just 29 years old, Ragnow has played seven NFL seasons, all with the Lions.
Lions center Frank Ragnow announces retirement from NFL after seven seasons. pic.twitter.com/x8o71HmEd9
— NFL (@NFL) June 2, 2025
Ragnow made four Pro Bowls and was named Second Team All-Pro three times. As one can tell by his numerous awards and recognitions, he was consistently graded as one of the best centers in the NFL by multiple sites and metrics.
To replace Ragnow, Detroit may look to rookie Tate Ratledge, whom the Lions drafted in the second round out of Georgia.
If Ratledge does earn the starting job, the Week One matchup will be even more interesting as several Packers defenders are his former teammates (Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Nazir Stackhouse).
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