GREEN BAY – Sean Rhyan has learned a lot of lessons during his 3½ years with the Packers, but chief among them might be the value of patience and flexibility.
A former third-round pick in 2022, Rhyan has played virtually everywhere on Green Bay's offensive line. As recently as last week, Rhyan was mentally preparing to play all three interior positions heading into Monday's matchup with Philadelphia.
Then, it all happened. Less than a minute before halftime, Elgton Jenkins went down with an ankle injury and Rhyan was called upon to replace the Packers' center.
With just seconds to ready himself, Rhyan took one shotgun snap with quarterback Jordan Love, snapped again the traditional way, and jogged on the field to battle Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.
"It's kind of like that theme of my career," Rhyan said. "Can't break. You gotta bend, can't break. I just stayed ready."
Now, the fourth-year veteran is Green Bay's starting center after Head Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Wednesday that Jenkins will most likely will miss the remainder of the season.
Rhyan, who started three seasons at left tackle for UCLA, didn't start snapping until reaching the NFL. This season, he's been the de facto No. 2 to Jenkins while rotating with Jordan Morgan at right guard with the starting offense.
A two-time Pro Bowl left guard, Jenkins moved back to his college position of center this offseason following the departure of Josh Myers and signing of Aaron Banks in free agency. He also was the only Packers offensive lineman to start all nine games this season.
That superlative will fade this Sunday against the New York Giants after Jenkins was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
"It's a shame," LaFleur said. "Shoot, he was one of the first guys we drafted when I got here, and just been through a lot with him, and obviously, a lot of great moments."
While an injury to a leader like Jenkins is the last thing Rhyan wanted, he recognizes this is his chance to entrench himself in Green Bay's starting lineup once again.
The 6-foot-5, 321-pound offensive lineman started the first four games at right guard before Morgan stepped in against Cincinnati in Week 6. Rhyan has continued to rotate with the 2024 first-round pick while playing 392 offensive snaps this season (67.8%).
Being on the sidelines hasn't been easy for Rhyan after he started all 18 games (including playoffs) last season. However, rotations also are nothing new. Rhyan's first real playing time came in a platoon with Jon Runyan at right guard back in 2023.
"Obviously disappointment was there," Rhyan said. "If you're a real competitor, you want to be out there with the guys, grinding it out and doing hard (stuff). But hey, I try not to hold grudges and stay ready, so that when I get my opp, I can go in there and do my thing."
Rhyan did last week against the Eagles, garnering praise from both LaFleur and Love for how he handled the short-notice assignment that included several no-huddle situations.
Rhyan and the Packers have another tough task in front of them against a talent-rich Giants defensive front, but Rhyan has the benefit of a full week snapping to the starting QB.
"I think he did a great job coming into the game on Monday," Love said. "All of our exchanges were pretty clean. We've just got to keep building on that. But it's always a next-man-up mentality. I think Sean's done a great job of staying ready, wherever he's been called at this season. It'll be no different for him at center."
In recent weeks, the Packers' offense has struggled to put points on the board during home losses to Carolina and Philadelphia. Despite seeing a lot of two-high safety, Green Bay's ground game has hit some headwinds.
Love believes the Packers are close to getting in sync again like they were during the 28-point second half of their a comeback win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 28.
Asked about his focus this week, Rhyan immediately pointed to the importance of clearing lanes for Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs and the rest of the Packers' running backs.
With one sole position to focus on, Rhyan is ready to do his part.
"Make the most of it," Rhyan said. "Unfortunately, we play a game with a pretty high injury rate so it's the next guy up. My number got called, so I gotta go out and perform."
