Packers center stands to benefit most from rookie early arrival at training camp

The 2024 Green Bay Packers football season has a big moment this week. On Wednesday, July 17, rookies and injured players report to training camp . Veterans only report on Sunday, and the first real practice will be on Monday.

But those extra days are important for the first-year players to get a feel for how training camp in Green Bay works. Possibly, nobody will benefit from that more than fifth-round center Jacob Monk . During rookie minicamp, he talked about how he was working to get his feet wet in the NFL.

"I'm really enjoying it, for sure," Monk said. "It's crazy being in the NFL right now, and being a Packer. But I mean, I love it."

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During the first couple of days, players will basically do individual stuff. For Monk, it's an excellent opportunity to understand Matt LaFleur's system better, to practice snaps, and to have a closer contact to the coaching staff without competition — after all, Josh Myers and the other possible centers on the roster (Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins) won't be around.

Even though there won't be real practices this week, it's a valuable transition because Monk has never been a full-time center. He played 59 games at Duke according to "The Beast" , which included 58 starts throughout five seasons. But only 10 of those starts, including six in 2023, were at center — he had 36 games at right guard and 12 at right tackle. Asked about his early goals, Monk said the chance to be a useful piece is his immediate focus. That and being a true pro even when in college helped him play so many games.

"Just being a contributor in any way that I can, doing what the group needs of me, helping this program win some games," Monk mentioned. "It (The reason for durability) was just taking care of my body. I had to be a pro early on, that's one thing I learned and that's hopefully something that I can help bring to this locker room as well."

Competition

Josh Myers is still expected to start at center for the Packers, but he's entering the last year of his rookie deal. Even if Green Bay has versatile players like Tom and Jenkins that could move inside, it's important to have specific competition, and Monk can bring that. For The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler, his intelligence is a big attribute.

"Overall, Monk doesn't have elite size and strength, which puts more of a premium on his technique," he wrote. "But his foot quickness and football IQ belong on an NFL roster."

The early report becomes even more important for Monk to make sure he's where he has to be in order to become a useful part of the roster.

Related: Packers rookies will have to earn their reps during offseason and training camp