4 PACKERS STARTERS WHO WILL BE BENCHED THIS SEASON

The Green Bay Packers are entering the 2024 season with high hopes and the goal of building on last year’s late-season surge. But in the NFL, very rarely do things go as planned, and even the most optimistic of teams encounter drama along the way.

This season, the Packers saw some unexpected developments during training camp, as competitions at multiple positions opened the door for surprise starters to win jobs over presumed favorites.

However, not all fast starts last, and several of these newly crowned starters could be overtaken by midseason. Whether due to inconsistency, injury, or just superior talent waiting in the wings, here are four Packers players who may find themselves on the bench at some point during the season.

Sean Rhyan

Sean Rhyan, listed as the starting right guard on the Packers' unofficial depth chart, may have earned the starting job heading into Week 1, but his hold on that position is tenuous at best.

Rhyan stepped in during training camp after first-round pick Jordan Morgan suffered an injury, and while he capitalized on the opportunity, the writing is on the wall for Morgan to eventually take over.

Morgan, who was viewed as the frontrunner before his injury, is an athletic powerhouse with the pedigree to become a mainstay on the offensive line. Rhyan’s solid play in the preseason may have earned him a temporary spot as the starter, but it feels inevitable that Morgan will regain the position as soon as he is healthy and fully acclimated.

Head coach Matt LaFleur has refused to tip his hand, but if Rhyan struggles or falters early in the season, Morgan will likely step in and take over for good.

Josh Myers

Josh Myers is another offensive lineman on the Packers who could find himself riding the bench sooner rather than later. Drafted in the second round of 2020, Myers was quickly handed the starting center job. His high football IQ and ability to diagnose defensive schemes made him the logical choice to anchor the line from the start.

However, intelligence and recognition alone haven’t been enough to cement Myers as a long-term fixture. While he’s been serviceable, Myers has struggled with consistency and athleticism, which has led to subpar performances, particularly in more demanding matchups. His lack of agility has been exploited by quicker defensive tackles, and he’s shown difficulty adjusting to the speed and strength of NFL opponents over the course of a season.

That inconsistency opens the door for a possible change at center, and it’s where Rhyan could once again come into the picture.

If Rhyan, as expected, loses his spot at right guard to first-rounder Jordan Morgan, there’s a chance he could slide over to the center position. The Packers’ philosophy under LaFleur has always been to field the best five offensive linemen, regardless of position. Given Rhyan’s versatility, he could be a better fit at center than Myers, providing a more athletic and stable option in the middle of the line.

For Myers, that means he’s on thin ice. If he doesn’t improve his play early in the season, Rhyan—or even another versatile lineman—could step in and push him out of the starting lineup.

TJ Slaton

TJ Slaton has been one of the more underrated success stories for the Packers since they drafted him 173rd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

From the moment he entered the league, he earned his spot in the defensive line rotation, and what’s been most impressive is his year-by-year improvement. Slaton’s development has been steady, and in 2024, he finds himself as a key figure in Green Bay’s defensive front.

Slaton's power and explosiveness have made him a perfect fit for the Packers, initially drafted as a space-eater in their former 3-4 scheme. Yet, he’s proven to be much more than a gap-filler.

With the transition to a 4-3 defense under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, Slaton’s versatility has come into play. He’s more than just a big body in the trenches—Slaton uses his strength and surprising burst to wreak havoc in the backfield, both in terms of run-stuffing and quarterback pressures.

That relentless, ferocious style allowed him to edge out Devonte Wyatt, a former first-round pick, for a starting role on the defensive line.

However, Wyatt isn’t far behind. While Wyatt’s NFL career started slower than expected, he’s begun to flash the athleticism and upside that made him a first-round selection. Wyatt’s physical traits give him a ceiling that may be higher than Slaton’s, and as his development continues, it could be only a matter of time before the coaching staff decides to give him more snaps.

For now, Slaton holds the upper hand with his experience and refined skillset, but he’ll need to stay sharp to keep his spot as Wyatt’s continued growth looms large in the Packers’ plans.

Eric Wilson

Eric Wilson might be the most likely Packers starter to eventually find himself on the bench this season, but not necessarily because of his own performance. Rather, it’s the talent waiting behind him on the depth chart that could push him out of the starting lineup.

When Green Bay brought in Jeff Hafley as defensive coordinator, it was clear the team needed an upgrade at linebacker. The release of former All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell left a significant gap, and the Packers acted quickly, drafting two highly regarded rookies—Edgerrin Cooper in the second round and Ty’ron Hopper in the third. Both were seen as future cornerstones for Green Bay’s defense, expected to push for starting roles or at least significant snaps early in their careers.

However, injuries threw a wrench into those plans. Both Cooper and Hopper missed valuable practice time during camp and preseason, battling multiple setbacks that slowed their ability to learn the defense and make an impact. That opened the door for Wilson, a solid but unspectacular veteran, to claim the starting spot alongside Quay Walker.

While Wilson earned the job with steady play, the long-term plan for the Packers at linebacker is clearly centered around Cooper and Hopper. Both are now healthy and practicing, and it's only a matter of time before their superior athleticism and upside begin to show. As the season progresses and the rookies get more comfortable in Hafley’s system, it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of them take over Wilson’s spot in the lineup.

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This article was originally published on dairylandexpress.com as 4 Packers Starters Who Will be Benched This Season.

2024-09-05T12:02:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd