Green Bay Packers third-year offensive lineman Sean Rhyan knew what he wanted to showcase during the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.
“That I’m a pretty good right guard,” Rhyan said leading up to Saturday’s matchup.
With Jordan Morgan sidelined with a shoulder injury, a fortuitous Rhyan was named the starting right guard in his absence. While Rhyan did a solid job in his 15 snaps at right guard, that’s not where he spent most of his time on the field in Cleveland. He also played 33 snaps at center, a spot where the team is hoping to find the primary backup to Josh Myers.
While Rhyan aimed to solidify his case as the starting right guard, he ended up making a strong impression with his performance at center.”
“I thought he did a good job,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said Monday after reviewing the tape. “That’s not an easy thing. It’s pretty underrated being able to go out there and make the calls, snap the ball to the quarterback without any exchange issues, things like that…I was happy with what I saw.”
#Packers OC Adam Stenavich was pleased with Sean Rhyan’s work at center on Saturday.
Here he is flashing his ability to get up-field as a puller in the run game. pic.twitter.com/IAUmAiLPLV
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) August 12, 2024
While center isn’t entirely uncharted territory for Rhyan, it’s a position that requires different skills than guard, especially in terms of making blocking adjustments and snapping the ball cleanly. Although Rhyan doesn’t have much recent experience at center, he handled these challenges well against the Browns.
Ever since he arrived in Green Bay, Rhyan has been on a quest to find his best position. The coaching staff believes that is somewhere along the interior. During practice, Rhyan has spent time at left guard and center this summer to prove he can step in at multiple positions if needed. If Rhyan doesn’t win the starting right guard spot, the coaching staff is keen on keeping their options open by developing him as a versatile backup.
“I think right now, obviously, he’s in a competition for a starting position, and the big thing for us is to get him ready at several positions in case he isn’t a starter,” said Stenavich. “You want him to be a versatile backup that can play any of those three interior spots.”
Regarding Morgan’s injury status, Matt LaFleur said they should know more this week. The Packers hope he will be available for their next preseason meeting with the Denver Broncos so they can get a better look at their first-round pick.
It will be a harsh reality for Rhyan if he does lose the starting right job to Morgan. Still, all wouldn’t be lost if he could be the primary backup at three different spots along the offensive line.