Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Sean Rhyan entered training camp vying for the team’s starting right guard opening. However, when Green Bay released their unofficial depth chart earlier this week, Rhyan was listed as the backup to Jordan Morgan. According to head coach Matt LaFleur, the unofficial depth chart doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but Morgan has been primarily running with the starters in practice.
At Arizona, Morgan only ever lined up at left tackle, though many believed he could transition to be a pretty good guard at the next level. So far, the Packers have allowed Morgan to focus at guard, knowing it would give him the best shot of seeing the field this season while Rasheed Walker continues to hold down the left tackle spot.
Rhyan knew nothing would be handed to him, especially when the team used their first-round selection on Morgan.
Except in the NFL where injuries can happen at any point, Rhyan caught a break during Tuesday’s practice when Morgan left the practice field with a shoulder injury. The injury should only sideline the 25th overall pick for a short period, but it may keep him out of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.
That has allowed Rhyan to prove to the coaching staff that he is more than ready when his number is called.
“That I’m a pretty good right guard,” Rhyan said on what he plans to showcase on Saturday.
Like Morgan, Rhyan also primarily lined up at left tackle in college but was considered a good fit for the inside in the pros. After not logging a single offensive snap during his rookie season, Rhyan appeared in 12 games in 2023, taking snaps at right guard in place of starter Jon Runyan Jr.
When Runyan signed a lucrative deal in free agency to join the New York Giants, the door was opened for Rhyan to assume his spot. That was until draft night.
One of general manager Brian Gutekunst’s core beliefs is building a strong roster through competition. Rhyan has experienced that firsthand through his first three seasons.
Green Bay wants Rhyan’s talent to be well-spent, so they have afforded him plenty of opportunity to see where he can contribute. Just this summer, he has taken snaps at all three spots along the line’s interior.
“Going left, right, center, but I actually think it’s been helping me. Just because now I’ve really got to know the plays,” Rhyan said. “Going from center being the chief of the line, pointing where to go, and just flipping plays back and forth super fast. I’ll be right guard one play and then go over to the left. Just being able to understand what we’re doing and the scheme.
“The technique’s the same, but it’s flipped,” he added. “Just trying to be the same on both sides is hard. It’s hard to be good on one side in the NFL, but both sides is a challenge. But I’m willing to take it on and put good stuff on tape.”
As the Packers gear up for the preseason, Rhyan’s ability to adapt and perform across multiple positions could make him an invaluable asset to the team’s offensive line depth. While it is still an uphill climb, Rhyan’s highly coveted versatility might make him an important piece to this season.