New Green Bay Packers guard Kevin Zeitler continues ramping back into game shape after joining the team on September 30, the headliner among several desperate moves to patch the league's worst offensive line.
Since then, actually, although Zeitler has yet to play, the group has notably improved. Alongside Laken Tomlinson on the left side, a big part of the improvement is interim right guard Travis Glover, promoted to a starting spot in place of an injured and woefully incompetent Jacob Monk.
While the 2024 sixth-rounder likely isn't a long-term solution, he has stepped in serviceably while Zeitler gets up to speed. That's not only valuable in itself, but also in easing the pressure on the Packers' training staff to ensure Zeitler only suits up when he's ready to put his best self on the field.
Packers can take their time with Kevin Zeitler as long as Travis Glover plays capably
Glover started in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and again last week against the Chicago Bears. Pro Football Focus hasn't been impressed by his play, awarding him an overall grade of 49.0, 66th among 75 qualified guards.
Say Glover is in fact the league's 10th-worst guard. The eye test would tell you that's still an upgrade on Monk (despite his 50.4 PFF grade) and Jennings, who played mostly left guard but spent seven snaps on the right side (39.5). No joke, Jennings might actually be the worst guard to put on the pads this season.
Packers fans have seen the difference. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said that Glover is more comfortable on the interior and had worked at tackle in training camp due to depth concerns. Just by not being historically atrocious, Glover and Tomlinson have elevated the entire operation. Green Bay should be in no rush to get Zeitler on the field.
While Zeitler did see a handful of special-teams reps against the Bears, the 36-year-old sat out the offseason until joining the Packers, after going unsigned in free agency.
The team hasn't decided on his Week 6 status versus the Dallas Cowboys, but it's not a good idea to hurry him out there if he's still working off rust in practice. Fifteen seasons and 213 starts into Zeitler's career, that engine needs some oil before it can run right.
Glover has given Green Bay no reason to be overly antsy. Is he a starting-caliber offensive lineman? Well, no. At this point in his career, Zeitler might not be, either.
But Glover has been an upgrade over the Packers' previous options. Zeitler should be an upgrade on Glover when he reaches full strength. The young Georgia State product has made waiting until then a viable approach.
Add us as a preferred source on Google