The Green Bay Packers kicked off another round of OTAs this week. The headlines have been dominated by Josh Jacobs as well as the health statuses of Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft. A name not being talked about enough is OT Zach Tom
According to HC Matt LaFleur, Tom is expected to return in time for Training Camp. The O-Line may not get the attention of an edge rusher or a tight end, but Zach Tom is a pivotal piece of this offense, and his return is just as impactful.
Zach Tom One Of Many Injured Packers in 2025
Zach Tom continues progressing toward a full return from the torn patellar tendon he suffered late last season against the Denver Broncos. Before the injury, Tom was playing at an All-Pro caliber level once again and remained the stabilizing force on Green Bay’s offensive line. The Packers went 8-2 in games where Tom played at least 30 snaps during the 2025 season. Tom didn’t allow a sack through 12 regular season appearances prior to going down in Week 15. Tom’s consistency in pass protection and versatility across the line made him one of Jordan Love’s most trusted lineman before the season ending injury abruptly halted another standout campaign.
Packers Offensive Line Struggled Down The Stretch
The impact of Tom’s absence was immediate and noticeable during the final stretch of the season. Green Bay’s offensive line struggled to maintain the same level of protection without him anchoring the right side, and the offense never fully regained its rhythm. The Packers finished the year 1-4-1 without Tom available for extended action, while pressure on Love increased significantly during the team’s late-season collapse and Wild Card loss to Chicago.
That drop-off in pass protection was one of the defining issues during the closing weeks of the year, especially after Green Bay’s offense had looked explosive earlier in the season. With Tom sidelined, the Packers were forced into constant shuffling along the line, and the offense lost both stability and physicality up front.
Packers QB Jordan Love Needs Zach Tom’s Protection This Year
The Packers are optimistic Tom will be ready for training camp, a development that could prove critical for a team looking to rebound in 2026. While Tom’s injury was not the same ACL tear suffered by Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft, a torn patellar tendon remains one of the more serious injuries an offensive lineman can endure because of the strain it places on lower-body strength and mobility.
Green Bay has understandably taken a cautious approach throughout the offseason, but having Tom back near full strength would dramatically raise the ceiling of Matt LaFleur’s offense entering the new year. The Packers have built much of their offensive identity around keeping Love upright and establishing balance in the run game, and few players are more essential to accomplishing both than Tom.
While the words were few, the main take away in the clip below is Matt saying they expect Zach Tom back for camp at the end of summer. Hopefully he can stay healthy and keep Jordan safe this season.
