Sean Rhyan's three-year, $33 million contract this offseason caught more than a few Green Bay Packers fans off guard. Point-blank, that's a decent chunk of change. It didn't take long for most to warm up to the move, however, and when you think about it, it makes sense.
Rhyan improved at center over the course of last season, which is where the Packers will now plug him in full-time. He showed enough growth to give them the confidence to put pen to paper in free agency.
The guard-turned-center shared his own thoughts about why he received his extension, and he hit the nail on the head in more ways than one.
"I think part of the reason they paid me is not to change. Keep the same work ethic, just being the same guy every day, I think, is what they paid me for. So I'm going to try to do that, and I'm also trying to evolve as a vet and a leader, now, too. Building my skills as a leader, I think, is what I've been doing throughout OTAs, asking [left guard] Aaron [Banks] certain things, banking things off him and whatnot."
Rhyan is right, and in more ways than one. They also paid him not to change in another sense, for the sake of continuity. By securing Rhyan long-term, the team doesn't have to worry about coaching up a player unfamiliar with the system or a rookie with a learning curve of his own.
Extending Sean Rhyan preserved continuity where Packers need it most
Turning back to Rhyan, their third-round pick four years ago, preserves some stability in an already reshuffled offensive line. Gone are Elgton Jenkins and Rasheed Walker. Jordan Morgan is playing left tackle now. Anthony Belton will start full-time at right guard. Rhyan continues his transition to center.
Coachable young players with accruing experience and a focused drive are a valuable asset, one that teams like to keep around. The Packers don't want him to change, not one bit. Rhyan, 25, is something of a veteran now, but he's also still a youngster. That he's still querying his elders, like Banks, demonstrates his own awareness of that fact.
At the same time, he can be a shoulder to lean on for promising rookie Jager Burton and for Belton, who is entering his second season.
The other part of the equation, the second implication of extending Rhyan in order not to change, is just as significant. This way, the Packers get to keep homegrown talent in-house, taking their investment in the former 92nd pick to maturity. He should only get better at his new position, continuing the trend he showed last season.
Rather than wade through a foreign workplace culture, a new set of jargon, and a whole different playbook, as an incoming player would, Rhyan and the coaching staff can focus on honing his craft and polishing his technique. That accounts for opportunity-cost savings in the form of time and energy not included in the contract details.
In retaining Rhyan, the Packers paid for more than just a Pro Football Focus grade and a face in the starting lineup. They paid for his strong character, his versatility and developing skill set, and his familiar presence on an offensive line going through more upheaval than the group has faced in years.
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