Early in the 2025 NFL season the Green Bay Packers have dealt with injuries to their offensive line. While not ideal, GM Brian Gutekunst has done a great job ensuring he has capable backups at every position along the offensive line. Offensive line depth across the NFL is slim, but the Packers have a deep group due to draft picks and trading for veterans.
Investing in the Offensive Line
In the 2022 NFL Draft the Packers selected three offensive lineman: Sean Rhyan in the third round, Zach Tom in the fourth round, and Rasheed Walker in the seventh round. All three players start on the offensive line for Green Bay. Walker and Rhyan were both competing with Jordan Morgan for starting spots this offseason; Walker at left tackle and Rhyan at right guard.
Tom took over as the starting right tackle during his rookie season and has been starting ever since. Since then he has established himself as one of the top right tackles in the NFL. He was rewarded with a four-year $88 million contract extension during the offseason.
Jordan Morgan was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2024. He dealt with injuries during his rookie season. Fully healthy this year, Morgan was in training camp battles at both right guard and left tackle. Ultimately he lost the starting spot at both positions. Rhyan and Morgan rotated snaps at right guard during the week one game against the Lions however.
Interior offensive lineman Jacob Monk and tackle Travis Glover were both selected on day three of the 2024 Draft. Both players are currently on injured reserve due to injuries they sustained during training camp.
The Packers used a second round pick on tackle Anthony Belton in 2025. Belton played primarily at left tackle in college, but he cross trained at multiple positions during training camp with the Packers. Green Bay also drafted John Williams in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Williams missed all of training camp and started his career on the physically unable to perform list, knocking him out of at least the first four games of the season.
Gutekunst signed left guard Aaron Banks from the San Francisco 49ers to a lucrative four-year $77 million contract this offseason. At 6’5″ and 325 pounds he is at his best in the run game. Banks dealt with a back injury during training camp and injured his ankle and groin during the week one game.
Darian Kinnard joined the Packers via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in August. A 2027 sixth round pick was sent in exchange for Kinnard. He has experience playing both tackle and guard.
One thing the Green Bay front office values in offensive linemen is versatility. Almost all of their players can line up at multiple positions along the line. Elgton Jenkins moved from guard to center during the offseason and has even played tackle during his career. Morgan will fill in at both tackle and guard. Rhyan would be moved to center if Jenkins wasn’t available. Tom can play tackle, guard, or center. Many viewed Belton as a guard in the NFL coming out of college.
Depth Tested Early
In their first game of the 2025 season the Packers lost starting right tackle Zach Tom to an oblique injury and starting right guard Aaron Banks to ankle and groin injuries. The recovery time for both of their injuries is unknown.
Anthony Belton started at right tackle in week two against the Washington Commanders despite Darian Kinnard taking over for the injured Tom in week one. Kinnard rotated in for Belton on a couple of series against Washington, but Belton played 75% of the snaps.
Jordan Morgan started at left guard in place of Aaron Banks. He played every offensive snap in the game.
Belton got off to shaky start in his first NFL start. In their first drive against the Commanders, a holding call on Belton wiped out a beautiful touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed. He struggled with penalties throughout the preseason. After the rocky start to the game, Belton settled in nicely. He earned a grade of 66.6 (average) from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in pass protection.
Morgan was good in pass protection at left guard as well, not giving up a sack or any penalties. He earned a PFF grade of 72.0 (above-average) for his pass protection. Morgan struggled in the run game however, earning a grade of 42.5 (poor).
Overall Performance
The offensive line has played well through two weeks of the season, especially in pass protection. Quarterback Jordan Love has only been sacked twice through two games. One of those sacks he took on purpose to keep the clock running at the end of the game against the Commanders.
Run blocking has been a different story. The Packers have struggled creating holes for running back Josh Jacobs. Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Darian Kinnard, and Rasheed Walker all have average grades from PFF in run blocking. The rest of the offensive linemen have below-average or poor grades.
The Packers are only averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a team so far. They averaged 4.7 yards per carry as a team in 2024. The run blocking must improve to make the offense more effective, especially on early downs.
Looking Ahead
As the Green Bay Packers navigate the early challenges of the 2025 season, their offensive line depth and versatility have been a strength. Brian Gutekunst’s investment into the offensive line has allowed the Packers’ offense to keep rolling despite injuries to starters. While the pass protection has been superb to start the season, the struggles in the run game highlight an area for growth. If the run blocking improves, the Packers will have a more balanced attack. The offensive line will be tested again in week three, matching up against one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Myles Garrett.
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