One day into free agency, it's mostly business as usual for the Green Bay Packers.
Several starters have departed, as expected, with more to come in the days ahead. While needs at defensive tackle and cornerback stand out the most, the Packers seem content to run it back along the offensive line. They released Elgton Jenkins but have re-signed Sean Rhyan and restructured Aaron Banks' deal, locking them both into starting spots.
That's why there's concern. Running it back isn't necessarily the best approach, as former Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga explained. Appearing on ESPN Milwaukee, Bulaga highlighted an increasing concern for the Packers this offseason.
"Whatever we thought about that offensive line's performance last year, can it improve? I hope so. But that's essentially what we're setting ourselves up for is a run-it-back type situation with this group," Bulaga said.
"If you watch them on tape last year, if you're just staying, 'Yep, that's good enough,' then we have issues," he added. "And it's not good enough because Jordan Love took some major headshots last year that just aren't good."
Bryan Bulaga says the quiet part out loud about Packers' offensive line concerns
Bulaga agreed with the Packers' decision to re-sign Rhyan, although, like many of us, he was surprised by how much the team paid. That speaks to how quickly the center market fell apart, giving Rhyan and his agent additional leverage to get a better deal.
While Bulaga didn't call out any specific move the Packers have made so far in free agency, he made it clear that they must add talent and, more specifically, competition.
And he's 100 percent right.
As things stand, the Packers' starting offensive line is likely Jordan Morgan at left tackle, Banks at left guard, Rhyan at center, Anthony Belton at right guard, and Zach Tom at right tackle. Tom is the undeniable leader of the line and easily the Packers' most talented player among the five, but he is recovering from a significant knee injury.
Beyond those five, the Packers have tackle depth with Darian Kinnard, who they just re-signed, but that's about it.
Not only is the offensive line depth paper-thin, but the Packers also face questions about the starting five. Pro Football Focus ranked Green Bay 22nd for both pass blocking and run blocking last season. They need to improve.
The Packers have stayed away from the offensive line free-agent market to this point, except for re-signing Rhyan. But they ended up paying him more money than the Los Angeles Chargers gave Tyler Biadasz and the Detroit Lions paid Cade Mays. Both offer far more experience at center than Rhyan, who has just nine starts at the position.
Last season, Mays ranked 14th among all centers for PFF pass-blocking grade, while Biadasz finished 17th. Rhyan? All the way down at 41st. Rhyan fared better in run-blocking, ranking 19th, ahead of Mays (33rd) but behind Biadasz (12th).
Green Bay is also committed to Banks, who endured an awful first season after signing a $77 million contract. His overall PFF grade ranked 66th among 81 guards. Restructuring his deal effectively guarantees he'll stick around for multiple seasons.
The Packers need development from their starting five, and staying healthier will undoubtedly help. But they also must add competition at various starting positions.
Fixing the offensive line has to be a priority this offseason, but for now, the Packers have locked in two starters who underperformed for much of last year.
Running it back is risky, and the Packers need to find reinforcements to provide real competition for starting jobs.