Don't Forget About Zach Tom This Offseason

The Green Bay Packers’ sloppy outing in Philadelphia was a disappointing ending to what was supposed to be a consequential second season with Jordan Love, and it has left most fans and media searching for answers.

Ahead of the offseason, rumors are already swirling that Brian Gutekunst will look to add a household name or two, given the team’s salary cap flexibility. The players have done nothing but fuel the fire. In his postgame interview, Josh Jacobs said he’d had discussions with former teammates about working together again in Green Bay. On a recent podcast, he expanded on those comments, claiming the young Packers need “at least three” more players to reach the next level.

One name bandied about was wide receiver Davante Adams, whose Hall of Fame trajectory would almost certainly end with him enshrined as a Packer in Canton. The reunion would serve the franchise’s competitive and emotional interests, landing Love a bonafide top wideout and the young receiving corps a leader and mentor.

A reunion would undoubtedly generate incredible buzz. The Philadelphia Eagles' army of household names stood out in the playoffs, especially after they went on to win the Super Bowl. In the Wild Card round, that contrast was as stark as it looked on paper.

Zach Tom had a rough game against Philadelphia. Still, the former fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest has proven to be another one of Gutekunst's mid-round gems. His consistency at tackle has been a key reason why Love’s protection was strong all season, and the crucial injury to standout guard Elgton Jenkins showed what could happen if that offensive front was destabilized. Tom struggled tremendously with Philly’s dominant pass rush, as did every team they faced on their impressive run. However, that doesn’t preclude him from being arguably the top priority heading into the offseason.

The Packers are known for drafting, developing, and extending their talent. Tom fits the bill, just as Jenkins did before him. Focusing on who the team will retain has been difficult when so many shiny options are available on the trade and free-agency markets. Players like Jacobs and Keisean Nixon running public recruiting campaigns haven’t made that easy. However, Tom is far and away the highest priority on Green Bay's list of impending free agents and extension-eligible players.

Retaining him is crucial, but his long-term position is much more nebulous. Green Bay's offensive line has recently been a game of musical chairs, which has largely been afforded by Jenkins and Tom’s flexibility. A report last offseason suggested that the front office views Tom as a potential Hall of Fame center. Gutekunst’s selection of Jordan Morgan in the first round last year, ahead of rumored candidates such as Cooper DeJean (who is being brought up for no particular reason, of course), seemed to point in that direction.

Center Josh Myers, a former second-round pick out of Ohio State, is set to hit the open market. What happens with him will be particularly telling. The Packers drafted him to be the center of the future and have not given the team a choice but to retain him. He was controversially selected ahead of Creed Humphrey, who has become a weapon at the center position for the Kansas City Chiefs. While Gutekunst has proven his worth with a plethora of mid- and late-round gems and by navigating Aaron Rodgers’ departure, his first- and second-round resumé is up for discussion.

It’s hard not to feel like the Packers need to add a big name like Adams, Maxx Crosby, or Myles Garrett. Hell, they might lose much of their personality with Jaire Alexander. However, it’s important not to forget about the guys doing the dirty work inside, and Gutekunst has lined up an exciting group. It remains to be seen where a healthy Morgan will slot in. One thing is certain: Zach Tom is a critical building block next to Jenkins, and it’s more than likely that he will be heavily compensated for that soon.