They say if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. But when moving forward with a new center and holding open competitions across the offensive line, is it worth moving the ultra-reliable and versatile Zach Tom from right tackle? Apparently not, according to Green Bay Packers Matt LaFleur.
When asked on Tuesday if the team plans on keeping Tom at right tackle, LaFleur said, “Yeah, I think that’s the plan, absolutely. That’s where he’s kind of found his home, but I think what’s great about him is if you do have something that happens, it gives you some flexibility up front.”
Entering his fourth season, Tom has played all five positions on the line but has been a mainstay at right tackle for the past two seasons.
Focusing on one position has paid off for Tom, who has quietly emerged as one of the best right tackles in the NFL. In 2024, Pro Football Focus named him a first-team All-Pro after ranking third in run-blocking grade (90.0), 11th in pass-blocking grade (82.1), and fourth in overall grade.
Per PFF, Tom surrendered just three sacks on 562 pass-blocking snaps. He was also a key factor in running back Josh Jacobs’ 1,329-yard season, locking down the right edge.
The Packers were drawn to Tom coming out of Wake Forest because of his athleticism and positional flexibility. During the pre-draft process, his long-term projection was actually at center.
With Josh Myers entrenched at center when Tom arrived, he saw limited action as a rookie—logging snaps at left guard, left tackle, right guard, and his future home at right tackle.
Now, with Myers playing for the New York Jets, Green Bay is expected to shift Elgton Jenkins to starting center. Like Tom, Jenkins is extremely versatile and has experience playing up and down the offensive line. Jenkins has not been in attendance for organized team activities due to his desire to rework his current contract before changing positions.
While Jenkins is away from the team, the Packers are in the beginning stages of figuring out their best five-man offensive line combination for the 2025 season. Rasheed Walker returns after holding down the left tackle spot last season but will be pushed by last year’s first-round pick, Jordan Morgan. Aaron Banks projects to be the starting left guard after signing a lucrative four-year deal during free agency.
Assuming both sides can come to an agreement, Jenkins will be the starting center. Meanwhile, the right guard competition will be interesting. Sean Rhyan and Morgan alternated series at the start of last season, but Rhyan took over full-time after Morgan missed the last part of last season with a shoulder injury.
Green Bay will continue cross-training their linemen, but given Tom’s rise, it sounds like he will remain at right tackle for the foreseeable future.
A potential starting five of Walker-Banks-Jenkins-Rhyan/Morgan-Tom has the makings of an elite offensive line if everyone stays healthy and plays to their potential.
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