With the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line facing a whirlwind of injuries, the team’s Week 5 bye couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Right tackle Zach Tom and left guard Aaron Banks returned to practice this week and look likely to play against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday.
While rookie Anthony Belton remains sidelined, the return of Tom and Banks will revitalize the underperforming unit. The line has generally kept Jordan Love afloat, but a historically bad showing against the elite Cleveland Browns defense and the early struggles against the Dallas Cowboys haven’t left the most flattering impression thus far.
The Bengals are one of the league’s worst teams, and their pass rush is particularly poor. Having Tom and Banks back should be a good start toward building some season-long continuity and fixing the offensive line’s long-term ailments.
The Packers have been without their preferred starting line — Banks, Tom, Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, and Sean Rhyan — for most of the season.
Love has faced more pressure this season, with a 34.4% drop-back rate in 2024 increasing to 40.7% this year. Thankfully, Love is generally a savant at avoiding sacks, but the pass blocking has been significantly worse this season. Run blocking is one of the team’s biggest weaknesses, coming in as PFF’s 31st-ranked group.
Josh Jacobs‘ yards per carry is down 1.1 yards compared to last season (44.4 vs 33.3). Only Jacobs’ elite ability to generate yards after contact is keeping the team’s star running back from putting up decent numbers. Last year, the rushing attack was a strength. This year, the run blocking (along with some playcalling by Matt LaFleur) is preventing success.
Thanks to injuries and shuffling backups around, their most-used line combination has been Walker, Jordan Morgan, Jenkins, Rhyan, and Darian Kinnard (less than 40% of offensive snaps).
There are other combinations where Morgan has played at almost every position except center, and Belton at both tackle spots. Morgan and Belton have struggled, but it’s not just the backup offensive linemen keeping the line from success. The Packers have placed too much on Morgan’s plate. However, they let him get comfortable at left guard against the Cowboys. It’s hard to see a player thrive when being asked to do so much.
Meanwhile, Belton got a fair shot at right tackle when healthy and showed some nice things. Still, the veteran Kinnard has been the overall better player there. He was one of the team’s highest-graded players against Dallas (74.8 PFF grade).
Green Bay’s preferred starters have been just as much of a problem, if not more so, than the backups. Walker has taken a step backward in a contract year. Jenkins hasn’t completely adjusted to center despite speculation that it could be his best spot. Rhyan hasn’t been the same without being able to rotate with Morgan.
Even going back to training camp, with so many injuries and questions about Jenkins’ contract, the preferred five didn’t get to work together much. Continuity is king for offensive lines, which are often a weakest-link type group. When players are constantly moving in and out of the lineup or switching positions, it’s challenging to establish a foundation of success.
Banks was a new addition, and many believed the Packers overpaid for his services. Thanks to injuries in training camp and the young 2025 season, he hasn’t had a chance to find a rhythm with his new teammates. On paper, Banks is an upgrade from last year’s weakest link, center Josh Myers, and has the potential to elevate the run blocking.
Tom is by far the team’s best lineman, and probably the second-most important offensive player after Love himself. Having him available should elevate the entire group and provide a steady presence.
If the Packers have their preferred starting five available, the unit can finally find rhythm with one another. Being more comfortable with the men around you should open up more lanes for the running backs. That comfort level should, hopefully, decrease the frustrating number of pre-snap penalties.
If the starting five are locked in, the Packers can be more proactive with the futures of Morgan and Belton. Both are probably starters in 2026, but their best spots are still TBD. Including the preseason, Morgan has played in every spot but center this year. The Packers can settle him into a rotation at left tackle or either guard spot and let him get comfortable. Belton might project best at guard, but right now he’s been asked to play tackle. Without needing contingency plans, the coaching staff can find a preferred spot for him and let him grow.
Every team faces injuries, and the Packers are better equipped to deal with offensive line absences than most other teams. The team has an excellent history of finding and developing offensive linemen. However, this young season has already taken its toll on the group, preventing it from building momentum and continuity. Thankfully, after the bye week, two starting linemen are set to return. If the group can stay healthy, the line can begin to address some of its season-long issues and put Morgan and Belton in a better position to find long-term success.