In-game opportunities are going to continue to come Sean Rhyan’s way. However, the right guard job is not his as of yet.
“I think every week it could be a little bit different,” said Matt LaFleur on Monday. “I think all those guys have gone in there and done a really nice job. It’s going to be a competitive situation.”
The rotation at right guard between Rhyan and incumbent starter Jon Runayn began in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams and continued against the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions. It’s been a small sample size for Rhyan, totaling just 34 snaps, but he’s held his own and looked the part when given the opportunity.
In 16 pass-blocking snaps, Rhayn has been credited with allowing only one pressure, according to PFF. Perhaps where he has stood out the most, however, is in the run game.
For much of the season, the Packers’ offensive line has struggled to generate consistent push and running lanes for the ball carriers. Green Bay’s 4.1 yards per rush ranks 20th, and that figure is up from where it was just a few weeks ago. But Rhyan brings an added level of physicality to the position and has shown to be more of a people-mover than others on this Packers offensive line.
“He’s done his job,” added LaFleur. “He’s a big guy that when he goes in there, he’s tough to move off his spot, and he’s done a nice job in both the run game and the pass game. It’s been very encouraging for what he’s been able to accomplish.”
On an offensive line unit that, as a group, has had its shares of ups and downs, Runyan has been the most inconsistent of the bunch. Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day Podcast, who grades every play for every Packers player over the course of the season, currently has Runyan as his lowest-graded player on the entire offense–specifically struggling in the run game.
But with that said, whether talking to LaFleur, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, or offensive line coach Luke Butkus, the feeling inside 1265 Lombardi Ave. is that this added competition from the rotation at both right guard and left tackle is elevating the play of all players involved, therefore helping the entire offensive line unit.
“I think that’s what’s helping a little bit,” said Butkus on the rotation impacting the play of the offensive line unit. “Guys are feeling that, and everybody works their butts off, there’s no question about that, but this competition, building this room off of competition, everybody stepped up. Not just Sheed (Rasheed Walker), not just Yosh (Nijman), but JR (Jon Runyan) and Sean Rhyan. It’s been great for the room.
“Those guys are interchangeable right now with the communication factor. Elgton has trust in Yosh. He has trust in Sheed. Josh has trust in both those guys (Runyan and Rhyan). It’s been great, and we are going to continue to roll with it until someone really steps up and says okay, but I think it’s been great for the room.”
In a season that is, to a degree, about evaluation for Green Bay, and figuring out who they can build around moving forward, one would think that the Packers would be more willing to see what Rhyan can do. Runyan is set to be a free agent in 2024 and could be playing elsewhere. Ryhan, meanwhile, is a 2022 third-round pick with two years left on his rookie deal beyond 2023.
Is Rhyan someone who could compete for playing time as a starter in 2024? Is he a good backup option off the bench? Or should he not even be on the team? Of course, the Packers, who see Rhyan every day in practice, have a much better idea than any of us on where he stands, but ultimately, until he’s given more snaps, one can’t truly confirm or deny those current evaluations.
After a rookie season where Rhyan was not only suspended the final six games but also inactive for a number of games prior to that, the turnaround he’s experiencing is promising for Green Bay. He went from being a potential cut candidate over the summer to someone who could be starting at right guard at some point this season.
“Sean’s been working his butt off,” added Butkus. “It’s nice to see you’re hard work pay off, and that’s in any profession. He’s really been studying, mentally and physically, he’s been doing a good job for us, and it’s been rewarding for him to get out on the field for a few snaps here and there. They’re playing well.”