The Green Bay Packers don't shy away from playing younger players, but there isn't a rush to do it either. Last year, fifth-round rookie Jacob Monk was barely on the field. Zero offensive snaps, 43 plays on special teams.
At the end of the season, Monk was inactive even when the depth on the interior of the offensive line was basically non-existent — Kadeem Telfort and fellow rookie Travis Glover, a sixth-rounder, were active and played over him in the playoffs. It wasn't necessarily a promising start, but it doesn't mean the Packers don't see value in what Monk can bring to the table as a true center.
Elgton Jenkins didn't attend OTAs and held in during mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute. Without their projected starting center and many other options to play the position, Monk ascended and spent most of the offseason program with the ones.
"He's done a nice job. I can tell you he's a lot more comfortable and confident in terms of going out there and knowing what to do," head coach Matt LaFleur said. "For him, it's just going to come down to those live reps."
During OTAs, Monk even had some reps at right guard, with Sean Rhyan at center. This is notable because the Packers clearly didn't want to use Monk at guard last season, and now he surpassed Telfort and Glover.
Eventually, Monk settled in as the center while Jenkins was out. And this is important considering the roster doesn't have primary centers. Beyond Jenkins and Monk, the only player listed as a center is Trey Hill, who is a long shot to make the 53-man roster. While Rhyan and Zach Tom have the ability to kick inside, that's something the Packers would probably prefer not to do — especially with Tom, who's a top right tackle in the NFL.
Last year, Jacob Monk had significant time in the preseason, and he played all around the interior of the line. As a fifth-round rookie, that would probably mean value to the team — which ended up not happening as expected. He had 82 snaps at center, 44 at right guard, and 29 at left guard in exhibition games.
"I really like him. He plays with a lot of effort, plays with a lot of intensity, finishes his blocks," offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said after the first preseason game in 2024, against the Cleveland Browns. "He has technique stuff to clean up, that most young guys do. But from what I've seen from him this first game, I was really excited about watching him."
In those three games, Monk allowed four pressures. According to PFF, he had a 57.4 run block grade and 54.3 pass block grade.
This year, preseason will once again be huge for Monk. Especially if Elgton Jenkins misses time, it's realistic to expect that the second-year player will help protect franchise quarterback Jordan Love whenever he is on the field.
Even if Zach Tom signs a contract extension eventually, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are slated to be free agents, and Jenkins is a potential cap casualty even if he agrees to an adjusted deal. The team needs offensive line options for the future, and Monk fits the profile to have a bigger role moving forward.
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