Green Bay’s offensive line entered 2025 with a paradox: one of the league’s best pass-protecting groups but a run-blocking unit facing real questions about consistency and depth. According to the latest assessments, the Packers ranked among the top third in pass-blocking grade and were 11th in pass-blocking efficiency, while allowing the sixth-fewest pressures and the fifth-fewest sacks. That strong pass protection has been a clear asset for quarterback play-calling and play-action design, and it has helped Matt LaFleur’s offense function at a high level even when the run game hasn’t been as efficient.
Where the concerns surface is the run game. Green Bay finished 22nd in run-blocking grade, even as the team maintained a high rushing grade, suggesting that LaFleur’s creativity and play design masked interior blocking issues at times. For the offense to take a step forward in 2025, the run game needs to pack a more consistent push at the line of scrimmage.
Key personnel and injury considerations shape the outlook up front. Elgton Jenkins is slated to start at center, a role he has not fully logged in recent seasons but has shown capable efficiency when healthy. Jenkins has four career starts at center, during which he allowed only two pressures and no sacks over 255 snaps, a small sample but a promising baseline. He’ll be flanked by Sean Rhyan and Aaron Banks at guard spots, both of whom have shown they can start in this league, though neither has emerged as a proven, game-changing presence at this stage.
The big question remains: who protects Jenkins on the interior if the unpredictable happens? Rhyan and Jacob Monk have been rotating through center duties in the preseason, but Rhyan has no prior center experience at the college or NFL level, and Monk has about 2,000 college snaps at guard and more than 400 at center, yet his preseason start has been rough by some metrics—four pressures, three hurries, and a sack across limited pass-blocking snaps.
In a worst-case scenario where reinforcements are needed, the Packers could slide Zach Tom inside in an emergency, though he’s most effective at right tackle. The plan appears to be to keep Tom at tackle and focus on stabilizing Rhyan and Monk at interior spots to begin the regular season.
The left tackle position is another area to watch. The competition there is between Jordan Morgan and Rasheed Walker. Morgan has lined up at left tackle in the preseason, while Walker could win the job and potentially shift Morgan inside to contend with Sean Rhyan for the right guard spot. Anthony Belton is another option to consider for the swing tackle role, though his preseason penalties have tempered some enthusiasm. If Morgan or Belton gets the nod as swing tackle, it could influence how the interior unit is deployed when Jenkins needs a break or in the event of an injury.
Beyond the top three interior players, several other contenders are fighting for depth roles: Donovan Jennings, Kadeem Telfort, Lecitus Smith, and J.J. Lippe. Jennings showed potential early in 2024 but has spent much of his time on the practice squad; in the preseason, he has faced a tough test in pass protection. His current PFF pass-blocking grade sits low, underscoring how much groundwork remains for him to contribute in a meaningful way.
The overarching challenge for Green Bay remains clear: the interior depth behind Jenkins isn’t broadcasting as a sure-fire solution if injuries strike. The guards aren’t universally standout, and the players behind them have not yet established themselves as reliable multipliers in shorter-yardage or pass-protection packages. It’s possible Gutekunst will inventory the waiver wire once preseason camp closes to shore up any vulnerabilities.
What this means for 2025 and beyond is a mixed bag. The Packers have the stability to trust their pass protection and the potential for a more balanced offense if they can further develop the interior run block. The immediate path forward likely involves getting Rhyan and Monk more comfortable at center and guard, respectively, while preserving Tom’s strengths at tackle. If the coaching staff can unlock a more consistent interior push without compromising protection on the edges, Green Bay could maximize its play-action effectiveness and sustain a dangerous rushing attack.
Summary: Green Bay’s offense has a strong foundation in pass protection, but the interior run-blocking and depth behind Jenkins pose a notable risk. The focus in camp and preseason should be on stabilizing the center position, finding reliable guard depth, and developing enough interior versatility to handle injuries without a major drop in play. A healthier Jenkins and a settled interior complement could unlock a higher ceiling for the Packers’ offense in 2025. A hopeful, positive angle is that with the right tweaks and depth, Green Bay could take a meaningful step forward on the ground while preserving its elite-level pass protection.