Guard Sean Rhyan was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round in 2002 after playing his college ball at UCLA.
Rhyan was named a starter at offensive tackle for the Bruins going into his freshman season. He started all 12 of UCLA’s games and was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and USA Today.
He saw his first NFL action on Nov. 6, 2022, playing a single special teams snap in a Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions. On Nov 25, Rhyan was suspended six games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, effectively ending his season.
You played a lot against the Panthers. How’d it go?
Good, good. I had a couple mistakes here and there, but I guess mistakes are part of the game – little silly ones – but it’s definitely good playing the game, having a good amount of snaps, being able to feel the flow of the game a little bit more. It was good.
What’s this been like?
It’s been good. You know, I think each week just kind of focusing on getting 1% better, focusing on one thing each week, and then just trying to be there and do what’s best and help the team. Whether that be stepping in here or there or, when I do get my opportunities, to make the most of them.
I realize you’re playing on Sunday to win Sunday’s game, but big picture?
Yeah, you know, my grandma used to say if you look too far in the future, you’re never going to see what’s in front of you. So, I’m just going week to week, day to day. I’m not trying to think too far in the future. As a team, too, we’re just trying to go 1-0, focus on this week. What the future holds, I don’t know. But all I know is this week we’ve got the Vikings, and I’m excited to get after them a little bit.
No thinking about being a starter next year?
Yeah, obviously, thinking in the future, yeah, it’d be nice to be a starter, but, you know, as things are right now, me and Johnny (Runyan) are rotating and I think it’s given us an edge.
During the game, we were playing Derrick Brown, and I went in there for the second series and he goes, ‘Man, why do you guys keep switching guards? I can’t get used to any of you.’ I go, ‘Oh, well, perfect.’
So, it’s great. Obviously, starting is everyone’s goal. Their first goal in the NFL, I think, is to get into that starting role. So, obviously, my eyes are set on that, but this year I think, right now, rotating I think is helping us a little bit, but it’s enough to kind of keep us going in the right direction.
Brown’s a hell of a player too. He’s never been a Pro Bowl guy, but he’s right there.
I mean, he’s a hell of a player. It’s kind of surprising to me why he isn’t. I don’t really know how any of it works, but I have heard like records come into play, but that guy’s a real good player. Plays hard, big old boy, strong. It was fun playing against him. Everyone’s good in the league, but I like it when we get in the film room and we go, ‘Hey, we got Derrick Brown. This guy’s a good player.’ I was like, ‘Well, if he’s such a good player, let’s get after him and see what we can do.’
Is that a measuring stick for you, or have you played enough ball in your life that measuring sticks aren’t your thing?
Well, let’s see here, this will be my ninth season playing football. So, when I do get those guys, it’s like, I don’t look at it as a bad thing, I look at it as a good thing. This guy is one of the best in the league, and I get to go against him, I can’t ask for anything more. Just because if you do …when I do well against those players, it’s a little bit of a confidence boost in a way.
I’m doing the right things, treating myself the right way and doing all that. So, it’s kind of almost a reassurance thing. It’s not like I’m scared or, ‘Oh, snap,’ you know? We got whoever’s in front of us. It’s the NFL. You know, I’m striving to kind of try to become one of those guys. So, it’s fun. It’s a journey I like to take.”
Rhyan concentrates on one game at a time
