The Green Bay Packers’ season came to an unfortunate end this weekend with a divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite hanging with the No. 1 seed in the NFC through the entire game, the Packers were unable to throw the final punch they needed to win and ultimately were sent home while San Francisco advanced to the NFC title game.
As the Packers returned to Green Bay to clean out their lockers and head into the offseason, the loss, and the end of the season that came with it, hit some players hard.
Offensive guard Jon Runyan was drafted by the Packers in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Michigan. He’s played four seasons in Green Bay but will head into the offseason as a free agent, and thus has no assurance he will be back in the same locker room next season.
Standing by his locker Monday, Runyan fought through tears after he was asked by a reporter what it meant to “wear the G” of the Green Bay Packers.
“It was awesome. I don’t know if there’s a better organization out there,” Runyan said. “I loved it here. It was a good time.”
Asked #Packers free agent Jon Runyan Jr. "what does it mean to wear the G"?
— Lauren Helmbrecht (@lmhelmbrecht) January 22, 2024
Through tears, "It was awesome. I don't know if there's a better organization out there. I love it here...I hope I don't leave."
The guard's emotional response at locker clean out ⬇️ @WFRVSports pic.twitter.com/URVs2xmStY
“Just the brotherhood. It’s unreal,” Runyan continued. “This organization. Everybody inside. The people out of the facility, the fans. It’s a special place. Met some really good people here. I hope I don’t leave. It was a good time. I really appreciate it.”
It’s certainly appears Runyan wants to keep playing for the Packers if they will have him. Time will tell where he ultimately ends up. NFL free agency begins March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.
