Kevin Zeitler is officially taking starting right guard reps for the Green Bay Packers this Wednesday, a huge signal he’s locking down that spot for their Week 5 clash against the Chicago Bears. This is a big deal because the offensive line has been a rollercoaster for them early in the season, and now it looks like they’re getting the veteran presence they’ve been waiting for.
The Green Bay O-Line Gets a Boost
Last Sunday, we saw Travis Glover do an admirable job stepping in at right guard when the Packers took down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The entire offensive line, with Glover and veteran acquisition Laken Tomlinson leading the charge, actually looked more cohesive than it had in the first three weeks of the season. To be fair, the bar was set incredibly low before that game, so “more cohesive” isn’t exactly high praise. But it was a start, right? Now, it’s Zeitler’s turn, and head coach Matt LaFleur’s comments after Zeitler’s signing are finally making sense: “as soon as (Zeitler) feels good and ready to go, he’ll be in there” as the starter.
Think about it: Zeitler joining the starting lineup against the Buccaneers would have been a massive ask for anyone. The guy just signed last Wednesday, so he barely had time to even glance at the playbook. Plus, he was fresh off rehab for a quad injury. And to top it off, that game was on the road in ridiculously warm weather. Seriously, all the cards were stacked against him hitting the field last week.
What This Means for Sunday’s Game Against Chicago
Good news, Packers fans: all those complicating factors are gone! With Zeitler sliding into the number one offensive line unit, he’s got the entire week to prepare for Chicago. The game is at home, cutting out any travel drama. Even though it’s expected to be unseasonably warm in Green Bay this weekend, with The Weather Channel predicting an 80-degree high on Sunday, being at Lambeau Field changes everything. If you had any lingering doubts about who the team sees as their starting right guard, the depth chart confirms it: Zeitler is listed as the starter, with Jacob Monk as the backup and Donovan Jennings on the third string. This is their guy.
It actually feels like Zeitler’s arrival is already paying off, even before he’s taken a snap as a starter. That offensive line that looked more stable against the Buccaneers seemed to benefit from him sharing some veteran experience in meetings last week. Now, putting him on the field this Sunday? That should only further benefit the entire offense. It’s time to see what this veteran can do.
So, get ready for Week 5, Packers fans. Zeitler’s finally on the field, and it feels like the big O-line piece they’ve been waiting for. This unit needs to show out against Chicago!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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