Packers: Ranking future contract extension priorities

4. Corey Linsley

Back in 2013, the year before the Packers drafted Corey Linsley, Aaron Rodgers expressed his desire to have one consistent center for the majority of his career. At that point, he had gone through Scott Wells, Don Barclay for a spell, Jeff Saturday and Evan Dietrich-Smith.

Since drafting Linsley, other than half a season in 2016, he has been the primary center for the Packers. Linsley is still young enough that we don’t have to worry about age and outside of a one-year stretch that crossed over two seasons, has not been injury prone.

Linsley is smart, athletic and a strong anchor in the middle of the line. If not for the depth in the middle of the offensive line, Linsley would be higher than Aaron Jones.

What gives the Packers leverage is they do have options on the roster. Elgton Jenkins could slide over to where most scouts thought he could be an All-Pro and play center. The team drafted Jon Runyan to play guard, as well as center Jake Hanson, so the cupboard isn’t bare there.

But, if the team would like to keep Rodgers happy, keeping his primary center since 2014 would be the right move.

As is the case with Aaron Jones though, the Packers should set their price and stick to it. With salary cap uncertainty and young talent on the roster, he could be someone to let go.

But, if the cap is raised or near where original projections are, bringing back Linsley should be up there.