Packers: Corey Linsley departure creates competition at center

Since 2014, the Green Bay Packers have had continuity at the center position with Corey Linsley.

All good things must come to an end, though, and the first-team All-Pro from last season signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.

Ahead of training camp, the Packers have a few different options at the center position, which is a good thing, and it should lead to plenty of competition for the starting job.

One has to imagine that rookie Josh Myers will be given every opportunity to win the job. The Packers selected him in the second round of April’s draft and he was given a lot of valuable reps during OTAs and minicamp last month.

But if head coach Matt LaFleur doesn’t feel Myers is ready to start at the beginning of the season, Green Bay has no shortage of options.

Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins has shown in his first two seasons that he can handle playing any position along the offensive line, and he also spent a lot of time playing center in college. Jenkins is one of the best young offensive linemen in football and could start immediately at center.

Another starting guard from last season, Lucas Patrick, can also shift over to center. The Packers could then have Jon Runyan Jr. start at the right guard spot in place of Patrick. Runyan himself could play center.

Second-year Jake Hanson faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but he’s a center who will look to add his name to the mix over the summer. If he can put together impressive performances throughout training camp and into the preseason, maybe Hanson can make a case to make the roster and potentially compete for the job.

From the outside, it feels like it’s Myers’ job to lose given that he was a second-round pick. But that doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee he starts the year at center. Everything is to play for over the summer.