As ugly as the last month has looked for the Green Bay Packers, there is certainly a reason for optimism. Despite clearly struggling in nearly every facet, the team has salvaged a 2-2 record, with noticeable improvement this past weekend against Tampa Bay.
A lot of these struggles all stemmed from the offensive line, as possessions would stall out early, leading the defense to get gassed, and in turn, struggle. It even led to special teams taking some lumps, most notably Trey Smack having a kick blocked against Atlanta in Week 3.
After that devastating loss in the home opener, the Packers addressed the offensive line with a trio of signings, most notably Kevin Zeitler.
While Zeitler didn't end up playing in Week 4, newly acquired Laken Tomlinson did get the start and helped steady the Packers' offense. It wasn't pretty. Green Bay was still held under 100 yards rushing, but Jordan Love only took two hits and wasn't sacked.
Zeitler is in line to make his Packers debut in Week 5, and Savion Williams is also nearing a return.
Kevin Zeitler working with starters on offensive line
It shouldn't be controversial to say that Zeitler's best years are behind him. That would be true of just about any 36-year-old in the NFL outside of Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. That said, Zeitler is certainly plenty capable, in both ability and shareable knowledge.
The former first-round pick earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023, and even last year with Tennessee, started 16 games and finished in the top 10 among guards in pass blocking.
Not only is he great on the field, but teammates are already raving about his presence. Last week, Zeitler told the Green Bay media that he had been staying late after his first practice, answering teammates' questions and trying to coach them up with his vast veteran know-how.
As mentioned, the Wisconsin native was a healthy scratch in his first game with the team, to no one's surprise, as Matt LaFleur indicated it wouldn't have been fair to him to start him after only being with the team for a couple of days.
Now, one day after Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said he wasn't sure if Zeitler would play against the Bears, Zeitler slid into the starting unit in practice, with the current lineup of Jordan Morgan, Laken Tomlinson, Sean Rhyan, Zeitler, and Anthony Belton, from left to right. Things are always subject to change, but the Packers' unofficial depth chart also had Zeitler in the starting unit this week.
Savion Williams returns to practice
Green Bay also got some positive news on the skill player front, as second-year wide receiver Savion Williams returned to practice. Williams began the season on the short-term injured reserve list with an ankle injury. The Packers now have 21 days to activate him, or lose him for the season.
While a formal decision has yet to be made, Williams seems to be trending towards playing sooner rather than later, with LaFleur not ruling out the idea that he could play this weekend.
Williams played in 12 games as a rookie, hauling in 10 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 37 yards on 11 carries. With Green Bay still trying to find an offensive identity, Williams could be a massive presence for the team. As a rookie, he didn't really have a set role, as LaFleur struggled with what to do with such a dynamic athlete.
At various times, he would line up in the backfield, and much like Cordarrelle Patterson, the receiver converted to running back. Other times, he would split out wide like a traditional receiver, giving him the option to run a route downfield or go in motion, such as the wide receiver screen that he scored his lone NFL touchdown on against Pittsburgh last season.
With Jayden Reed out for the year, and the Packers without a consistent running back, as Josh Jacobs is still on the commissioner's exempt list, Kaleb Johnson and MarShawn Lloyd each having issues fumbling, and Chris Brooks banged up, Green Bay could use all the help they can get on offense.
Williams may not have had a role last year, but now, his hybrid role is exactly what the Packers need.
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