Packers: Four most disappointing moments this offseason

3. Not re-signing Corey Linsley

It’s impossible to keep everyone in free agency. That’s especially true this year with a lowered salary cap and the Packers not having much flexibility. And once they worked out an extension with Aaron Jones, it seemed likely Corey Linsley wouldn’t be returning to Green Bay.

The decision to not re-sign Linsley is understandable from the salary cap side of things, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing from a fan’s perspective.

Linsley has been a reliable starter at center since entering the league in 2014. And he was coming off his best season in 2020, one that earned him first-team All-Pro honors.

The offensive line played such a crucial role in the Packers’ offensive dominance and Aaron Rodgers’ third MVP season. And Linsley was one of the players that made the line so unstoppable. He ranked first in ESPN’s run block win rate metric among centers, and fifth in pass block win rate.

Rookie Josh Myers, selected in the second round, could be the new starting center this season. It will be no easy task to replace a player as talented as Linsley.

The Packers didn’t have much choice in free agency. Re-signing Linsley would’ve been difficult. But for a team in win-now mode, losing an All-Pro center hurts.