Taken by the Green Bay Packers with the 140th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Zach Tom has proven to be an absolute steal, as he's clearly established himself as one of the most dominant and versatile offensive linemen in the entire league.
While he's already played all five positions on the Packers' front line during his first three years, the Wake Forest alum settled in at right tackle this past season and fell just short of earning an All-Pro nod, finishing third in the voting behind only the Detroit Lions' Penei Sewell and the Philadelphia Eagles' Lane Johnson.
Tom is set to play the 2025 season on the final year of his rookie deal. And as he's undoubtedly owed a new contract, one that will likely reset the market at his position, it would have been very easy for him to skip out on the Packers' voluntary workouts—you know, just like Elgton Jenkins did, reportedly due to him wanting a new deal after moving from left guard to center.
But Tom chose not to do that, which didn't go unnoticed by Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who showered all sorts of praise on his right tackle in a Monday presser, citing his intelligence, consistency, and certainly his versatility.
LaFleur was specifically asked about what it meant to him that Tom was in attendance for voluntary OTAs, and he seemingly took a little swipe at Jenkins with his response.
"Yeah, I think that tells you how much it means to him," LaFleur said. "You always want...you want everybody here this time of the year. And understanding that it is voluntary, that means a lot. I know, for me, it means a lot to me."
Okay, so perhaps LaFleur didn't intentionally take a dig at Jenkins, but there could have been some subconscious factors at play. But whatever it was, he was obviously thrilled with Tom being in attendance. As for Jenkins, he's likely going to have to suck it up at some point and deal with the fact that a new contract likely isn't coming.
Elgton Jenkins still has two years remaining on his current contract
Jenkins, as mentioned, came nowhere near OTAs, as he's reportedly unhappy with his contract, which seems absurd seeing as how he's played only half of the four-year, $68 million extension he signed in 2022.
The deal was clearly designed to pay him as a tackle, while also keeping him at a competitive rate if he shifted to tackle, which is typically the higher-paying position. Of course, centers usually don't make as much, so with a $17 million AAV, Jenkins will actually be one of the highest-paid at his position for the next two years.
His issue is apparently about what happens after 2026, when he can become an unrestricted free agent. Another problem could be the fact that the only guaranteed money on the contract was his $24 million signing bonus. So, perhaps he's hoping the Packers will add some more guarantees.
On Green Bay's side of things, however, the front office rarely reworks any contract that has more than one year remaining. And the fact that Jenkins will be 31 years old when his deal expires certainly can't be ignored.
Zach Tom clearly isn't overly concerned with his contract situation, as he has to know he's going to get paid and get paid big in the near future. Elgton Jenkins obviously isn't as optimistic, nor should he be.
As the latter is already losing money for not showing up to OTAs and with heavy fines headed his way if he opts to hold out at any point, he'll show up soon enough. But Tom is clearly the leader of this Packers' offensive line, and his center could learn a thing or two from him.