Why Josh Myers Should Be The Packers’ Most Important Free Agent.
Josh Myers has started 49 of the Green Bay Packers’ last 50 games (including playoffs).
Green Bay’s center is just 26 years old, has gotten better each of his four NFL seasons and has terrific chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love and his linemates.
That’s why Myers should be the No. 1 priority in Green Bay’s 2025 class of unrestricted free agents.
“I would love to be here,” Myers said. “I love it here. I love the people. It’s a wonderful team, a wonderful organization. I’d absolutely love to be here.”
Green Bay will have 11 unrestricted free agents come March, and the group lacks the sizzle of past offseasons.
In addition to Myers, kicker Brandon McManus, linebackers Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson, nose tackle T.J. Slaton, cornerbacks Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochelle, tight end Tyler Davis, running back A.J. Dillon and offensive tackle Andre Dillard will all become unrestricted free agents in March.
In a league of gladiators, Myers has exhibited as much toughness and reliability as anyone on the roster.
Myers played 1,091 of 1,094 snaps (99.73%) in 2022, more than any of Green Bay’s offensive lineman. Myers held off a challenge from both Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom in the summer of 2023, then had his best season playing 1,089 snaps (99.4%) — more than anyone on the roster.
This season, Myers has battled through a left wrist injury that’s required him to wear a brace. And when he had his streak of 43 consecutive starts stopped on Nov. 3 against Detroit, the Packers had their most futile offensive performance of the season.
Myers hasn’t been as good as he’d like in the run game. But he also hasn’t allowed a sack in 418 pass block snaps and has allowed just four quarterback hits.
“I’m swinging as hard as I can, but it’s a been bit up and down,” Myers said of his play in 2024. “For the most part it’s been good. There’s been a couple games I’ve just been battling injuries and haven’t felt myself. I feel weird saying that because it feels like an excuse, but I’ve been battling some (expletive) this year. I’m really just now feeling like I can use my hands again.”
Green Bay’s line has been a strength all season, and losing Myers might lead to a step back in 2025.
The Packers could move Tom from right tackle to center, but that would upset the apple cart at two spots. Rookie fifth round draft pick Jacob Monk is a potential option, but he hasn’t played an offensive snap and he’s been inactive the last three games.
The Packers could have as much as $70 million of salary cap room available and an extremely young roster poised for big things.
So resigning Myers — a warrior who’s just hitting his prime — should be a top priority.
“I’m just trying to enjoy every minute of this season,” Myers said. “I’m a person of faith. I trust in God and however it pans out it pans out, and I’ll believe that’s the way it was meant to be.
“So I’m just trying to have that mindset and not think about it and have as much fun as I can with my friends and let everything work itself out. I’m going to try and put my best foot forward and I’m going to try and finish as strong as I can.”
Here’s a look at Green Bay’s other upcoming free agents, ranked in order of importance:
2. Brandon McManus, K
Remember the Anders Carlson fiasco? Or the Brayden Narveson disaster?
Thanks to McManus, that brutal period in Packers kicking history seems like a distant memory.
McManus has made 14-of-15 field goals (93.3%) and ranks third in the NFL in field goal percentage. He’s also 23-of-23 on extra points, making him 37-of-38 on all kicks (97.4%).
McManus was released by Washington in June after two female flight attendants filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault on a flight to London when he played for Jacksonville. The NFL found insufficient evidence that McManus violated the league’s personal conduct policy, though, then Green Bay signed him on the cheap (one year, $1.21 million).
There are 10 kickers currently making more than $5 million a year, and it might take a deal in that range to keep McManus in Green Bay. But after the Carlson/Narveson mess, that would be money well spent.
“I’m really glad he’s here, and I think on a daily basis, I’m still learning from him as well,” Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia said last week. “I’m glad he’s here. He’s making us all better all the time, and I believe he’s got a lot of football left to him.”
3. Isaiah McDuffie, LB
Few players, if any, get more out of their abilities than McDuffie.
McDuffie has started all 14 games and ranks second on the team with a career-high 87 tackles. He has two tackles for a loss, three quarterback hits, a career-best three passes defensed and a forced fumble.
McDuffie rarely makes a splash play. His forced fumble against Miami on Thanksgiving was the only turnover play he’s been involved in this season.
But he’s durable, reliable and the type of leader Green Bay’s linebacking group could use.
“Your film is always your résumé and that’s it at the end of the day,” McDuffie said. “So whatever plays out, plays out. I’m just going to do whatever I can to be the best version of myself.
“I love Green Bay. I love everything about Green Bay and I’d love to be here. I’m just living in the moment, enjoying the season and focusing on trying to win the Super Bowl.”
4. T.J. Slaton, DT
Slaton was more impactful in Green Bay’s 3-4 defense last year (49 tackles) than the 4-3 this season (25 tackles).
Slaton is extremely reliable and has been the only defensive player to appear in all 68 games since 2021. But with major money tied up in defensive linemen Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt in 2025, and second-year players Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden poised for bigger roles, Slaton seems unlikely to return.
5. Eric Wilson, LB
Wilson, 30, is a jack-of-many-trades that makes any team better.
Wilson has played in all 14 games and made nine starts. He’s tied for second on the team in tackles for loss (seven), is eighth in tackles (41), has two sacks, four quarterback hits, an interception, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
He’s also tied for third on the team with six special teams tackles.
Packers rookie second round draft pick Edgerrin Cooper has stardom written all over him, while Green Bay must decide whether to pick up Quay Walker’s fifth year option.
“I just think he’s a guy that pours his heart and soul into his work and he’s a professional and gets better every day and knows what to do,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of Wilson earlier this year. “I think that’s a big part of it. When given opportunities, he’s gone in there and done pretty well for us.”
6. Eric Stokes, CB
Stokes, a first round draft pick in 2021, missed 65% of the last two seasons due to ankle, knee and hamstring injuries.
Stokes has played all 14 games this year, including seven starts, but he’s made little impact. Stokes has 36 tackles, but hasn’t been part of a turnover play and hasn’t broken up a pass since 2021.
“My tape is OK. It could definitely be better,” Stokes said. “I love everything about this place, the coaches, the players, the staff, all that. So I’d love to be here, but you just never know.”
Stokes had arguably his best game of the season in Seattle last week when he closed and tackled with authority. Stokes said he’s pain free from his recent injuries, but has some “discomfort” at times.
“There’s a couple thongs that I still have to get used to,” he said. “Like some certain movements and certain turns still give me a little trouble and I’ve still got to get my foot adjusted. It’s just small little things that I feel I’ve got to fix.”
7. Corey Ballentine, CB
Ballentine is a key cog on Green Bay’s special teams with four tackles and a forced fumble. But since starting Green Bay’s Week 4 game against Minnesota, Ballentine has faded to black on defense.
Ballentine turns 29 this offseason, and the Packers will almost certainly go younger at the position.
8. Tyler Davis, TE
The Packers love Davis, who ranked first on the team in 2021-22 with 15 special teams tackles. But he’s spent the last two years on the injured reserve list with ACL and shoulder injuries.
He’s still just 27 and could be brought back for the veteran’s minimum. But the Packers have found sufficient depth with Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick.
9. A.J. Dillon, RB
Dillon finished the 2023 season on the injured reserve list with a neck injury, then was placed back on I.R. with that same injury before the 2024 campaign began.
Green Bay has terrific depth at the position with Josh Jacobs, Chris Brooks, Emanuel Wilson and Marshawn Lloyd. So if Dillon is able to resume his career, it almost certainly won’t be in Green Bay.
10. Robert Rochelle, CB
Rochelle is a solid special teams player, where he has two tackles and had a fumble recovery against Miami. He’s played just one snap on defense, though, and he’ll likely be replaced by a draft pick.
11. Andre Dillard, OT
Dillard was signed to a one-year, $1.125 million deal last offseason to provide depth on the offensive line. He was fortunate
to make the team, has played just four snaps on offense and almost certainly won’t return.
