Josh Myers is one of 11 unrestricted free agents the Packers need to figure out this offseason, and what they do with him might be the most interesting decision of them all.

Myers has faced significant criticism since being drafted in 2021. However, Brian Gutekunst vouched for for him during his season-ending press conference.

“I thought he had his best year,” Gutekunst said. “He dealt with some things during this year that were tough, and I thought he fought through it like a champion. He’s certainly an asset to our football team. I know Jordan (Love) trusts him very much as his center. He’s a UFA, so we’ll see where all that goes, but I can’t say enough good things about Josh Myers, not only as a player but as a leader. He really does embody a Green Bay Packer and kind of what we’re looking for.”

Myers missed 11 games in his rookie season but has started at least 16 each year since 2022. Gutekunst mentioned that Myers played through wrist and pectoral injuries during the 2024 season. However, he missed only one game, which came in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions.

Pro Football Focus graded him tied for 30th among 32 centers who played at least 500 offensive snaps this season. In 2022, he ranked 25th out of 34, and in 2023, he was 26th out of 32.

Although the numbers show Myers has been below average throughout his career, the eye test suggests he isn’t a liability holding back Green Bay’s offense. The wide receivers’ struggles with drops and getting open against man coverage, combined with LaFleur’s play calling, were much bigger factors in Green Bay’s offensive underperformance, especially during the final stretch of the season. However, it’s true that the Packers could find a better center out there.

We can analyze Myers’ on-field production all day, but his value to the organization goes beyond that. He is a respected and well-liked figure in the locker room. Myers was named Green Bay’s 2024 Ed Block Courage Award winner, which honors NFL players who exemplify sportsmanship and courage. Voted on by the players themselves, the award recognizes professionalism, strength, dedication, and being a role model in the community. The Packers place a high value on that type of character within the organization and like to keep these players around.

I believe Green Bay will bring him back, but it won’t happen on a one-year deal. Starting-caliber centers like Myers are hard to find in the league. He’d probably get multi-year offers in free agency, so a one-year prove-it deal doesn’t seem realistic for the Packers.

The Packers would need to evaluate their plan if Myers were to leave. Brian Gutekunst has the financial flexibility to address the position through free agency and the draft. The solution could also come from within the team. Would Green Bay consider moving Elgton Jenkins, one of the league’s best guards, to center? Or could Sean Rhyan get a chance to step in at the position? The Packers may also want to find out what they have in Jacob Monk. Zach Tom is far too valuable at right tackle, and I don’t think there’s any chance Matt LaFleur would move him inside.

Myers has not been able to provide the same level of play that Corey Linsley did during his seven-year career with the Packers. However, he was far from the biggest issue in Green Bay’s offense this season. There’s a case to be made for him both staying and leaving, but given how highly the Packers value him as a player and a person, I’d lean toward Myers playing at least a couple more years with the organization.