What Zach Tom's Extension Means For Training Camp — and Beyond

On the precipice of training camp, at least one position on the Green Bay Packers offense line found long-term clarity.

On Monday, former fourth-round pick Zach Tom signed a four-year $88 million contract, including a $30.2 million signing bonus that ESPN believes is the highest ever for an offensive lineman.

Tom was one of three starting offensive linemen from the 2022 draft class seeking a contract extension, and it seemed inevitable Green Bay would prioritize their rising star at right tackle.

Tom's versatility is one of his best traits, and even after establishing himself at tackle, his best position remained a topic of discussion. Many, including some in Green Bay, believed that while Tom is a phenomenal tackle, he could be a Hall of Famer at center or perhaps guard.

However, Tom is quietly climbing the ranks as one of the league's best right tackles and finished third in All-Pro voting at the position. His new deal reflects that he's a long-term tackle. Tom's average yearly amount is the third-highest in the league, just after Penei Sewell and Lane Johnson, the two men ahead of him in All-Pro votes. His salary is $4 million per year higher than Creed Humphrey, the league's highest-paid center.

Even with the floor rising for guards and centers in recent years (look at Packers free agent Aaron Banks' four-year $77 million deal for a recent example), tackle is still the most lucrative offensive line position. Tom's new deal seals that he isn't moving positions. What does that mean for the offensive line's future?

Tom emerged as a star in his third season, earning top marks across all analytics systems, despite missing some of training camp due to a pectoral injury.

So, even with center opening up following Josh Myers' departure in free agency, it didn't make much sense to move Tom from right tackle to center, even if he could also be a star there. Tackle is the premier position, and Tom deftly held off some of the league's best edge rushers, some of whom are making double Tom's new contract. There's no reason to move their top offensive lineman, and the new deal reflects that.

Tom and Banks are the two positions you can lock in with pen on the offensive line. Tom's contract has a domino effect on both what the ideal starting five looks like and what might happen with fellow 2022 draftmates Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan.

Elgton Jenkins' status is the biggest wild card for the offensive line. Jenkins is expected to move from left guard to center but wants some financial clarity before swapping to the less lucrative position.

That situation still isn't cleaned up as training camp begins. However, even without his new contract, it was doubtful Tom was in contention for the role. Jacob Monk and Sean Rhyan were the main center candidates behind Jenkins, and that likely remains the case if Jenkins is unavailable. Tom's contract doesn't change much other than ending potential conversations about him moving.

The other two offensive line battles, left tackle and right guard, aren't directly affected by Tom too much right now. Still, his contract number could factor into the long-term for Walker and Rhyan.

Like Tom, Walker is seeking tackle money but hasn't played to the same lofty heights as his draftmate. Still, Walker is a solid starting tackle, and not every team has one of those. The Packers probably can't afford to pay the entire offensive line big-money contracts, and Walker might be able to get a similar payday to Tom's with another team next offseason. Either way, Tom's deal provides Walker's agent with a target number.

With Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton as potential left tackle options, the Packers might be content to let Walker, well, walk after the 2025 season, despite reports they've been working on a deal.

If the Jenkins situation isn't resolved, or even if the Packers move on from him after this season, Rhyan could be in play at center. Unlike Walker or Tom, Rhyan is viewed as an interior lineman and could be perfectly happy finding a long-term deal at center. The Packers probably aren't re-signing all three of their linemen from the 2022 class, and Green Bay might feel more comfortable offering Rhyan a more modest center deal than a larger contract for Walker. Even then, the Packers could go with Monk at center to avoid shelling out another big contract.

All of these situations exist regardless of Tom, but he's now locked into his position for years to come. Meanwhile, his contract numbers will undoubtedly come up in his teammates' negotiations. Particularly for Walker's future, Tom's contract might set a domino effect toward what the offensive line might look like in 2026.

Tom's contract was Green Bay's biggest financial priority, and getting it done now rather than next offseason means Green Bay will save a significant amount of money. Now, the Packers have a star player locked up. Tom's position is clear, and Jordan Love should be a happy quarterback.