Laken Tomlinson did not need long to show Green Bay why the Packers brought him in. In his first game with the team, the veteran left guard helped steady an offensive line that had been a mess through the first three weeks, and the difference showed up immediately in the Packers’ 17-14 road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The numbers tell the story. Through Weeks 1-3, Green Bay ranked 30th in rushing success rate, 29th in passing success rate and 25th in expected points added per play.
In Week 4, those marks jumped to 22nd, 8th and 17th, respectively. It’s not elite production, but it is a clear step from broken to workable.
Jordan Love felt the change most directly. Against Tampa Bay, he was pressured on just 3.3 percent of his dropbacks, the lowest rate among quarterbacks in Week 4 outside of Monday Night Football.
That was a massive drop from the 38.6 percent pressure rate he faced over his first three games. He also finished a game without taking a sack for the first time.
Green Bay’s ground game looked better, too. The Packers produced their best and most productive rushing outing of 2026, finishing with 86 yards on 25 carries. That included their two longest runs of the season, and Tomlinson played a role in opening space for Kaleb Johnson’s 31-yard burst in the third quarter.
For a unit that had been a black hole, the arrival of one reliable interior blocker already looks like a meaningful upgrade. And help may be coming again soon.
Kevin Zeitler, another veteran addition on the interior, did not play against Tampa Bay after signing only a few days earlier. Head coach Matt LaFleur said it would be "unfair" to put him on the field without a proper "ramp-up period." The team will handle it "day by day" for now.
When Zeitler is ready, he should add another proven piece to the line. The 36-year-old was a Pro Bowler in 2023, has more than a decade of starting experience, and has been one of the league’s most dependable guards since entering the NFL in 2012, handling both pass protection and run blocking at a high level.
In Other News...
Packers Fans May Need To Reassess MarShawn Lloyd Fast
MarShawn Lloyd has gotten a real look in Green Bay this season, and for stretches he has flashed the kind of versatility that made him an intriguing part of the backfield plan. He has appeared in multiple games, helped as a pass-catcher with nine receptions and a touchdown, and even earned more playing time as injuries and ball-security issues opened the door around him.
The challenge for Lloyd is what has happened when the ball has been in his hands as a runner. His 2.7 yards per carry is the lowest among the Packers running backs, and two recent fumbles have only sharpened the scrutiny. For a team trying to sort out its backfield hierarchy, that leaves Lloyd in a spot where the upside is still visible, but the margin for error feels awfully thin. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Still Searching For Depth At One Spot Fans Are Watching
The Packers kept working the edges of the roster this week with a set of tryouts that underscored how much the front office is still scanning for help. Green Bay looked at linebackers Deion Jones and Chris Paul, along with cornerbacks Cobee Bryant and Dwight McGlothern, in another reminder that the post-cutdown period is as much about staying ready as it is about finding a surprise fit.
With a full 53-man roster and practice squad already in place, any move would require Green Bay to clear space somewhere else, which is why these workouts matter even if nothing follows immediately. The team has been active with visits and tryouts since the deadline passed, and the pattern suggests the Packers are keeping a close eye on a few areas while leaving the door open for a roster shuffle if the right player becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Suddenly Have One Big Linebacker Decision To Make
Edgerrin Coopers season-ending Achilles injury left the Packers with an immediate opening in the middle of their defense, and it comes at a time when Green Bay has to decide whether to trust what it already has or look outside the building for help. The internal route would keep the answer simple, but the injury also exposes how much the defense was relying on Coopers presence in that spot.
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 🡒]