The Green Bay Packers have lofty expectations for the 2024 NFL season. Of course, this is because they exceeded the expectations that many, perhaps even themselves, had for them in 2023. After a slow start that saw Jordan Love and the offense struggle to put everything together, they won six of their last eight games, including three in a row, to clinch the seventh and final seed in the NFC Playoff picture.
Beating former head coach Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round proved that the young Packers had the foundation that they needed to compete. They lost to the eventual NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers by just three points in a game where multiple players were not at their best.
In other words, with a year under their belt, this young offense is ready to take the next step. However, with great expectations comes high standards, and there is one particular starter on offense who may be in danger of losing his job if he does not show improvement during offseason activities.
Green Bay Packers Offensive Line Coach Luke Butkus Put Josh Myers on Notice Last Week
Packers position coaches addressed the media this week to discuss early preparations for the season, as well as the new class of rookies from the 2024 NFL Draft (and those that were signed as free agents).
As fans are well aware, the Packers drafted three new offensive linemen this year: Jordan Morgan, Jacob Monk, and Travis Glover. In addition, they signed undrafted free agents Trente Jones and Donovan Jennings.
Green Bay is big on being able to cross-train their linemen to play multiple positions. Luke Butkus, the nephew of the late Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus and the team’s offensive line coach, recently said that their plan is train all of their linemen to play multiple positions.
That is, except one: Josh Myers, who has been the team’s starting center since 2021.
Of Myers, Butkus said:
“Obviously, Josh Myers is our center but, as far as everybody else, we’re going to cross-train them and put the best five out there. It’s competition, so it’s making everybody better.”
This statement does not mean that Myers, who has started every game for the last two seasons, is being given his job back automatically. It means that the center job is the only one he can win. They will not be moving him to left or right guard.
Green Bay Packers Center Josh Myers Needs to Improve
According to PFF, Myers ranked 18th in pass blocking grades among centers who played 50% of offensive snaps in 2023 with a grade of 55.7. He was even worse as a run blocker, ranking 27th with a 53.4 PFF grade.
Myers’ five sacks given up were tied for the third most given up by a center and his 28 pressures were the eighth most allowed.
The only Packers lineman who gave up more sacks than Myers last season was Rasheed Walker (who gave up six), and he is in a competition with first round pick Jordan Morgan for the starting left tackle job.
Earlier this offseason, it was reported that the Packers believe that Zach Tom could be a Hall of Fame center; but he is also a fantastic right tackle that played at a Pro Bowl level last season.
As Myers is in the last year of his contract, he will get every opportunity to earn his job in 2024, but he also has more competition than he has had for it since he first game to Green Bay.
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