The Green Bay Packers must make it their top priority to protect Jordan Love along the offensive line, both in 2024 and beyond.
While Green Bay is reportedly still shopping around for reinforcements in that regard, one offensive lineman they don’t have to worry about is 25-year-old stud tackle Zach Tom; that is, presuming the Packers take care of business and extend Tom after the upcoming season.
Preparing and executing a contract extension for Tom, the Packers’ 2022 fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest, should be at the top of Green Bay’s to-do list, according to a recent report from Zone Coverage’s Felipe Reis.
“Tom was arguably Green Bay’s best offensive lineman in 2023, but he is undeniably the most important lineman for the Packers, schematically speaking,” Reis said.
“Tom has already proven he is a starter in Green Bay for the foreseeable future. In over 952 pass-blocking snaps in his career, he has allowed only three sacks and six quarterback hits. The Packers will extend Tom unless he regresses, and it’s wise for Green Bay to do it as soon as possible. Because the Packers drafted Tom in 2022, they can only extend him after the 2024 season.”
“Tom will enter the final year of his rookie deal next season. Green Bay could let him play out his contract and negotiate an extension immediately before free agency in 2026. However, that could be risky with the cap growing every offseason and NFL contracts getting larger.”
Tom has proven that he is one of the best young linemen in the entire National Football League, and the Packers must take care of an extension. Doing so early on in the 2025 offseason will also provide Green Bay’s front office with clarity about its remaining cap space.
How much is Tom expected to demand on the market? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently inked their own 25-year-old tackle Tristan Wirfs to a five-year, $140 million deal.
Tom certainly deserves an extension in the same neighborhood.
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