While both of the Green Bay Packers starting offensive tackles are under contract for 2025, the team has big questions at the position in the long run. Both right tackle Zach Tom and left tackle Rasheed Walker are entering the final year of their entry-level deals and will be unrestricted free agents next offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst has decisions to make about their futures that will certainly impact how the Packers handle the 2025 NFL Draft. The Packers face some big questions at offensive tackles this offseason and how they solve them will be important for the long-term health of the team.

The Packers Face Big Decisions at Offensive Tackle: The Left Tackle

Walker has come a long way to become the Packers starting left tackle. Before his final college season at Penn State, Walker was considered a potential first round pick. He struggled through that final collegiate season and saw his draft stock fall dramatically. The Packers selected him in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Walker appeared in just one game as a rookie and played just four special teams snaps. In 2023, he took over as the starting left tackle after David Bakhtiari was sidelined by a knee injury. The Penn State alum started 15 games in 2023 and all 17 games in 2024.

Walker played 99 percent of the Packers offensive snaps this season and provided the Packers with strong and steady play. According to Pro Football Focus, Walker was a strong pass blocker and an average run blocker. He ranked in the middle of the 81 offensive tackles that earned qualified rankings.

One year remains on his entry-level contract. After the 2025 season, he will become an unrestricted free agent unless the Packers sign him to a new deal.

The Right Tackle

The Packers drafted Tom in the same year as Walker. Gutekunst added his right tackle in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The Packers valued Tom’s versatility. He can play any position along the offensive line effectively.

The Wake Forest alum played nine games as a rookie and started five, mostly when injuries forced the original starters out of the lineup.

In 2023, Tom took over as the team’s starting right tackle, a position he’s held ever since. He has started all 17 games at that position over the last two seasons.

Although Tom is considered undersized for an offensive tackle, he has graded out as the team’s best offensive lineman in each of the last two seasons. According to PFF, Tom is the team’s best run blocker by a large margin and he’s outstanding in pass protection as well. He ranks in the top 10 percent of the NFL’s offensive tackles by PFF grade.

Like Walker, Tom has one year left on his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season unless he is signed to a new contract.

The Packers Face Big Decisions at Offensive Tackle: The Choices

The Packers need to determine the long-term futures of both starting tackles. Signing Tom, the team’s best offensive lineman, should be a priority for Gutekunst. His skills and strong technique set him up for a long and productive career. His versatility means the Packers can plug him in at any of the five positions along the offensive line in a pinch. That helps get the best five offensive linemen on the field together. The priority should be to sign Tom to an extension this offseason.

The tougher decision will come on Walker. Has he played well enough to be considered the long-term solution at left tackle? If the answer is yes, Gutekunst should consider an extension for Walker this offseason as well which would probably save the Packers some money in the long run. If Walker plays well again in 2025 and the cap goes up as expected, the price of a new contract with Walker would likely go up.

However, if Gutekunst is unsure about either tackle, the Packers may draft a tackle on day two as opposed to just adding one on day three for depth. The team lacks experienced depth at the position as of right now.  Offensive tackle is a premium position, and these are important decisions for the Packers. Gute’s decision will have an impact on Jordan Love and the entire offense for years to come.

 

 

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

Click here for more great Packers coverage

Check out our YouTube channel here.