As we predicted when the Green Bay Packers signed guard Lane Taylor to a contract extension, center Corey Linsley is next man up.
Over the past year, the Packers have locked up left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard Taylor. If the team wants to keep their offensive line functioning at a high level, Linsley would logically be next. He’s in the final year of his rookie deal.
That is the Packers’ thinking exactly.
Pats have been discussing a new contract for Kyle Van Noy. Steelers progressing on one for Stephon Tuitt. Pack negotiating w/Corey Linsley
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 8, 2017
Right tackle Bryan Bulaga is under contract through 2019. Bakhtiari is signed through 2020, as is Taylor.
If the Packers lock up Linsley, which we would expect, the one wild card is the right guard spot. It’s currently held down by former All-Pro Jahri Evans. However, he’s only in on a one-year deal.
At 34, Evans isn’t a long-term solution. So perhaps that spot ends up being a draft pick. Perhaps it’s one of the nine offensive linemen the Packers kept around on the roster — 10, if you count Don Barclay on IR.
As for Linsley, is he one of the best centers in the NFL?
We certainly wouldn’t say that, but he’s good enough. He might end up getting paid like one of the best centers in the NFL, though.