Getty Justin Britt #68 of the Seattle Seahawks hikes the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on October 03, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks top the Los Angeles Rams 30-29.
Could the Green Bay Packers be interested in adding a veteran backup behind starting center Corey Linsley?
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Packers are hosting former Seattle Seahawks starter Justin Britt along with second-year defensive tackle Daylon Mack for workouts with one spot currently open on their 53-man active roster. Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reported Britt’s visit with the Packers will come Wednesday.
Britt, 29, has started 86 of his 87 career games for the Seahawks since being selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft, playing significant time at both right tackle and left guard before he was permanently moved to center. Don’t assume Britt’s time spent at other spots along the offensive line makes him a versatile piece, though.
According to Pro Football Focus, Britt was rated one of the worst pass-blocking tackles in the NFL during his 2014 rookie season and followed it up with a similarly poor showing once he was moved to guard during his second year. Fortunately, Britt finally took once he shifted to center — where Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he was originally intended to play — as he grew into a vital role for the Seahawks offense over the next three and a half years.
Britt’s hot run, however, came to an end midway through the 2019 season when he was placed on the injured reserve list after tearing his ACL. He was released in April shortly after the draft, finishing his time in Seattle as one of the longest-tenured players in franchise history.
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Packers Lack True Backup for Linsley
The Packers’ interest in Britt could stem from their current center situation, which has a secure starter in Linsley but lacks a true backup behind him with Lucas Patrick listed as the team’s second-string option at both right guard and center. The Packers also have sixth-round rookie Jake Hanson on the practice squad, but him missing the initial 53-man roster suggests he won’t be ready anytime in the near future.
The other problem for the Packers is Linsley’s pending free agency next offseason. They already re-signed star defensive tackle Kenny Clark to a monstrous contract extension ahead of training camp, but they must also weigh decisions on left tackle David Bakhtiari, running back Aaron Rodgers and cornerback Kevin King while considering a new deal for Linsley.
The NFL salary cap is also projected to be significantly lower in 2021 due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the current season. Even before that, the Packers simply didn’t have enough money to go around for all five of their top free agents. A decision to move on from Linsley would be difficult to make, but it might end up making the most sense.
If it does, in fact, turn out the 2020 season is Linsley’s last in Green Bay, the Packers will need to start developing some sort of plan to replace him. Could Britt’s upcoming visit be the first steps in doing so? Expect the situation, with or without him, to keep evolving throughout 2020.
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