Aside from drafting Jager Burton in Round 5, the Green Bay Packers didn't truly make a big addition to the offensive line in the offseason. However, the loss to the Atlanta Falcons forced them to bring in reinforcements.
The Packers bolstered Jordan Love's protection by signing Laken Tomlinson, Kevin Zeitler, and Mekhi Becton in a span of 11 days. Of the three, Tomlinson is surprisingly the only one to play offensive snaps.
Even after Aaron Banks' return from injury, Green Bay made sure that Tomlinson would remain in the starting lineup by switching him to the right side.
Packers' offensive line is struggling, but Laken Tomlinson has made an impact
Tomlinson contributed from the get-go, starting at left guard in the Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's yet to surrender a single sack and has allowed just seven pressures in the past five games, per Pro Football Focus.
It didn't matter that Tomlinson switched to right guard in Week 5 — a position he's barely played in his career — he dominated the trenches against the Carolina Panthers, giving up just one single pressure.
Banks, for his part, was a bit underwhelming in his return, surrendering five total pressures. Then again, he's at least playing. The same can't be said for Kevin Zeitler, who's yet to make his debut for Green Bay.
One big reason the Packers beefed up the offensive line was that they lost right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. Anthony Belton took his spot at right tackle, giving them one fewer option at right guard.
Since then, Travis Glover, Sean Rhyan, and Jacob Monk have also missed time with different ailments. The good news is that Green Bay is in good shape to overcome their absence precisely because of the trio of Tomlinson, Becton, and Zeitler.
Sure, Zeitler hasn't played yet, but he could take over at right guard if Banks underperforms (with Tomlinson taking Banks' spot at left guard). Similarly, Becton gives Green Bay insurance at both guard and tackle in case either Belton struggles or the injury bug strikes.
Ideally, the Packers wouldn't have needed to sign three offensive linemen once the regular season started. In fact, general manager Brian Gutekunst wouldn't have had to make any moves if he had added the necessary depth in the offseason.
Of course, there's still room for improvement; the Packers can't run the ball. Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged as much, and some of that falls on their running backs for not being able to break off big runs. However, the offensive line also needs to do a better job of opening lanes.
For that to happen, the current lineup will have to build a better rapport, which will only be possible if they stay healthy and no more changes take place.
Surprisingly, the Packers have managed to overcome plenty of issues (some of them self-inflicted) to be 5-3 after their win over Carolina on Thursday Night. And while the offensive line remains a concern, Tomlinson has made a strong first impression.
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