The Packers look ready to hand Kevin Zeitler the right guard job.
On Wednesday, Zeitler took reps with Green Bay’s first-team offensive line at right guard, a strong indication he’s set to start Sunday against the Chicago Bears. That fits neatly with what Matt LaFleur said after the signing, when the head coach said “ as soon as (Zeitler) feels good and ready to go, he’ll be in there ” as the starter.
That would mark a quicker turn than what would have been required a week earlier. Zeitler signed last Wednesday, leaving him little time to learn the offense, and he was also coming off rehab from a quad injury. Add in the road trip to Tampa Bay and the hot conditions, and last Sunday was a tough spot for a player just getting his footing with the team.
Green Bay’s situation is a little cleaner now. Zeitler has had the full week to get ready for Chicago, and the game will be at home. The weather is expected to be unseasonably warm in Green Bay this weekend - as of the time of this publication, the expected high according to the Weather Channel on Sunday is 80 degrees Fahrenheit - but the travel factor is gone.
The team’s website depth chart backs up the picture, listing Zeitler as the starter at right guard, with Jacob Monk behind him and Donovan Jennings third.
Travis Glover handled the spot well in Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Packers’ offensive line looked more in sync than it had during the first three weeks of the season with Glover and Laken Tomlinson starting at guard. Even so, the baseline was low, and Zeitler’s presence may already be helping beyond the field. According to the reporting, the line appeared to benefit from the veteran know-how he brought into meetings last week, and putting him into the lineup Sunday should give the offense another boost.
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One name worth watching is Matt Milano, a free agent with prior ties to the Packers coaching staff and the kind of background that fits the role Green Bay suddenly needs filled. His recent production has dipped some, but he still brings experience as both a pass rusher and a run defender, which is why he could surface as a real option if the Packers decide they need a more proven solution. [Read more 🡒]