The Green Bay Packers have made some changes to their roster already over the course of the NFL offseason. They allowed three different cornerbacks, Corey Ballentine, Eric Stokes, and Robert Rochelle, to depart in free agency. Additionally, center Josh Myers was not retained and he signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets.
Green Bay brought in former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs to help add starter-quality depth to the defensive back positions, and they signed free agent guard Aaron Banks to be added to their offensive line. Banks, who has played left guard throughout his career, will continue to do so for the Packers.
This, of course, means that other changes are being made on the offensive line.
The Green Bay Packers Are Moving Elgton Jenkins to Center
The departure of Myers and the addition of Banks meant that Green Bay needed to shuffle some pieces on the offensive line. When the signing initially happened, many fans debated what the right starting group would be. As Elgton Jenkins is a two-time Pro Bowler, many thought he would remain at his position while right tackle Zach Tom would move to center. Banks would, in theory, play right guard while 2024 first round pick Jordan Morgan would play right tackle.
But that is not what the Packers decided to do. Instead, Banks will remain as a left guard while Jenkins moves to center, the position he played in college. This means that the right side of the line, with Tom at right tackle and Sean Rhyan at right guard, will remain intact.
However, general manager Brian Gutekunst also revealed that Morgan will have the opportunity to compete for the starting left tackle job, which has been held for the last two years by former seventh round pick Rasheed Walker.
This development has led many to believe that, regardless of whether or not he wins the starting job in 2025, Walker’s days in Green Bay are numbered. He will be a free agent following the upcoming season and Morgan is a former first round pick.
That being said, it does sound like another young star on the offensive line is going to get a contract extension soon.
Green Bay Packers Insider Does Not Believe the Team Will Let Zach Tom Hit Free Agency
Indeed, Walker’s status as a former seventh round pick compared to Morgan’s as a former first rounder makes it clear that, in the long run, the Packers will roll with the latter when push comes to shove. However, they are not going to take the same chances with Tom, who many consider to be one of the best right tackles in the NFL today.
According to Packers insider Mike Spofford, a contract extension for Tom could be coming soon. He recently wrote, “I wouldn’t be shocked [if the Packers draft another tackle] but it’s not what I’m anticipating, not after last year’s first-round pick and my belief the Packers aren’t letting Zach Tom go anywhere.”
Like Walker, Tom is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025. But unlike his counterpart, Tom seems to have Green Bay’s interest in being around after this upcoming season.
A Tom extension will not be cheap. There are currently four right tackles making $20 million a year or more in the NFL, and one should expect Tom to become the fifth.
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