Packers’ Josh Myers Needs To Show Consistency To Earn Starting Spot

Heading into training camp, one of the strengths of the Green Bay Packers was their offensive line. When healthy, this unit has the ability to be one of the best in the NFL; the last time David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins played together, they were both Pro Bowlers as the most dominant left side in the league.

Those two are locked into starting spots when healthy, and right guard Jon Runyan Jr. looks to be locked in as well. A training camp battle at right tackle was expected between Zach Tom and Yosh Nijman, but it now seems to be a three-man competition.

Center Josh Myers now looks to be in the competition for a starting spot as well. It sounds like the Packers are going to be starting Tom somewhere, whether it is at center or right tackle, and Myers is essentially battling it out with Nijman for the last starting spot.

The Packers have not been shy about moving around the versatile Tom, who has taken reps all across the offensive line in training camp. He took first-team reps at center and right tackle, which has led to speculation about Myers’ job no longer being safe.

A second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Ohio State has started 23 games the last two seasons for the Packers, including all 17 last season. If Myers wants to retain that starting job, head coach Matt LaFleur said the coaching staff needs to see more consistency from him.

“Josh has done a really good job, but we need more consistency,” LaFleur said before Thursday’s practice. “We have complete confidence that he is fully capable of doing that, and we’ve seen that from him.”

For the first time in his career, Myers’ spot in the lineup is being contested. It certainly creates a different atmosphere at training camp as he is now competing against two different players to get into the starting five.

Alas, that is something LaFleur seeks. He believes competition brings the best out of everyone and the Packers are excited to see how Myers responds to a new challenge.

“It’s like every other position we have, we need to pull out the best from everybody. When you have capable people, it naturally creates competition, and it makes us a better football team when we guys push for starting jobs,” LaFleur said.

A change at the center position for the Packers is certainly warranted. While they do like Myers, numbers don’t lie. As shared by Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, Myers gave up three sacks and 13 total pressures in 2022. His run-blocking grades were not strong either, leading to him being ranked 27th out of 39 centers with at least 300 snaps last season.