Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthytold reporters Friday he has benched five-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday.
Saturday signed with the Packers in March, after Scott Wells signed with the St. Louis Rams. Saturday started all 14 games at center this season.
Saturday was asked Friday to evaluate himself.
"I've graded out well," Saturday said, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "You win 10 games, you win the division. So I've got no complaints with that."
Versatile Evan Dietrich-Smith moves into the Packers' starting lineup against the Tennessee Titans with Saturday's demotion. Dietrich-Smith has been the Packers' top backup interior lineman, making starts at both guard positions the last two years. McCarthy said center is Dietrich-Smith's best position.
"I told Dietrich, I fully support it, man," Saturday said. "I have a ton of respect for him as a player. ... I think he'll do a good job.
"We're at two totally different points in our career. His is on the up ramp, mine is on the way out."
Saturday admitted the change was disappointing; this could be the end of his 13-year NFL career.
Of course, he still could be starting in late January: Saturday currently leads all centers in Pro Bowl votes.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
