{"id":243016,"date":"2025-07-28T15:36:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T15:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/243016\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T15:36:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T15:36:09","slug":"sean-rhyans-rise-could-give-the-packers-a-good-problem-up-front","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/243016\/","title":{"rendered":"Sean Rhyan\u2019s Rise Could Give the Packers A Good Problem Up Front"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first domino in the Green Bay Packers\u2019 2026 unrestricted free agent class has officially fallen. Just before training camp began, the Packers and star right tackle Zach Tom<\/a> agreed<\/a> to a four-year, $88 million extension that keeps him in Green Bay through the 2029 season.<\/p>\n

The #Packers<\/a> and OT Zach Tom agreed to terms on a four-year, $88M extension with a max value of $92M, per The Insiders. <\/p>\n

The deal includes a $30.2M signing bonus, the largest for an OL. Deal was done by Michael Hoffman and Nate Sullivan of Sports Law and Management (SLAM). pic.twitter.com\/XzWwyOhqJr<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Green Bay was always going to prioritize signing Tom before the start of camp. He\u2019s arguably their most important offensive player and a cornerstone of the unit. Still, with four offensive starters set to hit free agency in 2026, more decisions are looming for Brian Gutekunst.<\/p>\n

One of those decisions will revolve around Sean Rhyan<\/a>. He didn\u2019t play a single offensive snap as a rookie, but saw action in 229 blocking snaps in 2023 \u2014 101 in the run game and 128 in pass protection. Pro Football Focus graded<\/a> him at just 42.5 as a pass blocker and 50.8 as a run blocker that season.<\/p>\n

I would like to point out Sean Rhyan handling Aaron Donald one-on-one. https:\/\/t.co\/aaQLr81Inb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) July 12, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Pass protection was the biggest concern for Rhyan heading into the 2024 season, but he showed real growth, finishing with a 65.5 pass-blocking grade. He averaged an 80.1 grade over the final two weeks of the regular season. However, he struggled in the Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles with a 31. Still, Philadelphia\u2019s front was one of the best in the league, and losing Elgton Jenkins<\/a> to injury<\/a> during the game didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n

Rhyan has opened training camp as the starting center in Jenkins\u2019 absence, though he\u2019s also been rotating with Jacob Monk<\/a> between center and right guard. While it\u2019s easy to imagine Green Bay eventually working out a deal with Jenkins, what happens beyond 2025 remains uncertain. The team can clear<\/a> $20 million in cap space with a post-June 1 release or trade in 2026. Jenkins turns 30 this season, and the Packers rarely sign players to a third contract.<\/p>\n

If the Packers move on from Jenkins, Rhyan could be the natural replacement. He didn\u2019t play any snaps at center during his time at UCLA or in the NFL, but the fact that Green Bay is testing him at the position suggests they could be preparing for that possibility.<\/p>\n

The most likely scenario is that Rhyan opens the season as Green Bay\u2019s starting right guard. Given that he\u2019s in a contract year, he should be eager to deliver strong performances. Still, if he maintains his current level of play, the Packers could bring him back on a one-year, prove-it deal to avoid creating a hole at the position.<\/p>\n

Green Bay is in a good situation with Rhyan and Rasheed Walker<\/a>, because it has the 2025 season to make their cases for a second contract. The Packers also have Jordan Morgan<\/a> and Anthony Belton<\/a> under contract. Belton has the size to play left tackle, but Green Bay drafted Morgan specifically for that role<\/a>. Given his ongoing battle with Walker for the position, the most likely scenario is that Morgan will eventually take over as Jordan Love<\/a>\u2019s blindside protector.<\/p>\n

Anytime the Packers are asked about left tackle Rasheed Walker, the answer is some version of\u2026 “He’s capable, but he needs to be more consistent.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) July 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

That would mean Belton could slide inside to play right guard, creating an opportunity for Rhyan to take snaps at center. However, the Packers won\u2019t simply hand him the job. It\u2019s hard to imagine any professional football team giving a player with no previous experience at arguably the most important position on the offensive line a clear path to start without competition.<\/p>\n

Rhyan could be facing competition at two spots on the offensive line this year. However, he will most likely stay at guard. Putting together the best season of his career could set him up for a nice contract next year, and whether that will be with the Packers or not is anyone\u2019s guess. Still, he has come a long way since his first snaps in 2023. If that upward trend continues, the Packers could soon find themselves with another good headache along the offensive line.<\/p>\n

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