Do the Green Bay Packers need to make a change at center?
Two years ago, the Green Bay Packers drafted Josh Myers one pick before the Kansas City Chiefs took Creed Humphrey.
Humphrey is a Pro Bowler, second-team All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion, quickly becoming one of the best centers in football. Myers, meanwhile, has made an inconsistent start to his NFL career.
While the Packers' offensive line is in good shape, should they consider making a change at the center position this offseason?
Should the Green Bay Packers consider making a change at center?
The great Andy Herman tweeted this in January, and he's spot on.
Josh Myers might be the most overrated player on the Packers roster. If I'm Green Bay there's no way I'm going into the offseason thinking that he has one of the starting spots locked up on the OL. Consistently inconsistent. Huge offseason for him, he needs to be MUCH better.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) January 9, 2023
For some reason, Myers' inconsistent play doesn't get talked about enough.
So, what options do the Packers have? Well, quite a few, actually.
Myers can play center and guard. One possibility would be to have him shift over to guard, creating an opening at center. Perhaps unlikely, but it's an option.
Maybe the most logical option is to create competition. Make Myers earn his starting job on the offensive line.
Second-year Zach Tom played admirably at tackle and guard in his rookie year, but he also has experience at center. Not only did he play there at Wake Forest before moving to tackle, but many draft analysts believed his best NFL position would be center.
"Tom was extremely impressive in pass protection at tackle despite a lack of desired size or length, but he's likely headed back to center in the pros," wrote Lance Zierlein of NFL.com before the 2022 NFL Draft.
In year one, Tom played every position but center. However, with Elgton Jenkins and Jon Runyan Jr. as the likely starters at guard and David Bakhtiari at left tackle, that leaves right tackle and center as the most likely starting spots for Tom.
Letting Myers and Tom compete for the starting center job could be a smart choice.
Another option? Turn to the draft. That doesn't necessarily mean drafting a center. The Packers love to draft versatile offensive linemen who can play multiple positions. Selecting a player who can play at center, as they did with Tom a year ago, would make sense.
The Packers certainly shouldn't give up on Myers, but they should be open to change. Make Myers win the job at training camp. Whether it's Zach Tom, a draft pick, or both, give Myers competition and make him win the job.