The Packers got a peek at its new offensive line in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, kind of.
In the week leading up to the Week 4 matchup, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst did his best to remedy the issues on the offensive line, by signing 34-year old Laken Tomlinson, 27-year old Mekhi Becton and 36-year old Kevin Zeitler.
Tomlinson was the only one to see the field against the Bucs, as he logged all 55 offensive snaps at left guard, alongside Jordan Morgan, Sean Rhyan, Travis Glover and Anthony Belton. Tomlinson’s addition to the offensive line, as well as Glover’s play at right guard, certainly improved upon Green Bay’s recent struggles as Jordan Love was not sacked and the run game totaled a season high 86 yards.
It is encouraging to see the offensive line take the step in the right direction, but with the additions of three veterans who have primarily played guard throughout their careers, the Packers may all of a sudden have too many players for not enough starter spots.
Becton came into the NFL as a tackle prospect out of the University of Louisville but saw his best days on the interior, winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles while starting at right guard. Becton’s signing appears to be more of a depth addition, given his spot on the practice squad.
Zeitler, who has spent most of his career in Cincinnati and Baltimore at right guard, is a familiar name for many Packers fans. Zeitler went to high school at Wisconsin Lutheran before attending college at Wisconsin. He figures to play sooner than later for Green Bay despite not being active for the Week 4 matchup.
“The guy just got here this week,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, on not activating Zeitler. “We have to ramp him up. That was our decision. We just have to get him acclimated with what we are doing. I think it would have been pretty unfair to put him in these conditions today with three practices under his belt.”
LaFleur went on to say that the team is going to take it day-by-day to evaluate when Zeitler will be ready to play.
Outside of bringing in three veterans, Green Bay still has Aaron Banks when he returns from injury. Given the solid play of Tomlinson, it is going to be tough to move him out of the starting lineup when Banks is ready to return. Given LaFleur’s comments, it appears that Zeitler is going to play at some point. Assuming Zeitler slots in at right guard, the Packers will have an interesting decision to make with shuffling the offensive line around when Banks is healthy.
Given that Banks is being paid $19.25 million per year, the Packers have an incentive for him to play, assuming it does not want that money to be sitting on the bench. Moving any of the three players to the tackle position is also not ideal, considering the draft investments that Green Bay has put into Morgan and Belton.
One thing is clear though. The first game with a somewhat revamped offensive line worked in Green Bay’s favor, as Love came out unscathed and the running game took a step forward. Even if the guard position is overcrowded, the team now at least has some depth if more injuries were to occur. It is unknown yet who will be the five starters on the front against Chicago, but seeing the improvement this past week is something to give Packers fans hope for the future.
The status of Chris Brooks’ (30) ankle injury is uncertain, while Matthew Golden (0) is finding success with passes from quarterback Jordan Love (10). Against Tampa Bay, Brooks left the game in the first half, and Golden caught three passes for 21 yards and one touchdown. (Greg Mellis | Green & Gold Express)
