Tom: ‘It Would Be Nice’ to Focus on Right Tackle

Zach Tom, the Green Bay Packers’ jack-of-all-trades offensive lineman, might be the front-runner to start at right tackle but he continues to be moved here, there and everywhere.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – “Where’s Waldo” is a series of puzzle books in which Waldo, wearing a red-and-white striped shirt and hat, can be found somewhere among a huge group of people.

“Where’s Zach” is a series of Green Bay Packers coaching decisions in which Zach Tom, wearing a No. 50 jersey, can be found somewhere among a group of huge people.

During Friday night’s preseason game at Cincinnati, Tom started at right tackle before moving to center. Back in Green Bay for training camp on Sunday and Monday, Tom added left guard to his portfolio.

“Where’s Waldo” is an amusing, challenging game. “Where’s Zach” is challenging, as well, but perhaps not quite as amusing. Packers coach Matt LaFleur loves talking about getting his “best five” blockers on the field together. It’s a logical approach, even at the risk of one of those five blockers not being at his best.

As much as he can, the easy-going Tom is taking it in stride.

“Yeah, it is what it is,” Tom said after Monday’s practice. “At the end of the day, you’ve just got to go out there and play whatever position they tell you to play. Obviously, it would be nice if I could focus on one position, but I think the way I see it is it’s a compliment that they trust me to go out there and play multiple positions.”

A fourth-round pick last year, Tom is coming off a strong rookie season in which he played every offensive line position other than center, started games at left tackle and left guard, and played extensively at right tackle during the final two games.

Tom appears to be the front-runner to start at right tackle, having taken the first-team reps ahead of incumbent starter Yosh Nijman for most of training camp.

Zach Tom (Photo by Mark Hoffman/USA Today Sports Images)

If Tom is going to start at right tackle, wouldn’t it make sense to keep him at right tackle – or at least minimize the daily shuffling?

“I know what you mean,” Tom said. “Yeah, obviously, it would be nice if I could play one position. I’m not going to complain. They trust me at multiple positions, so I’ve got to go out there and continue to earn that trust. That’s the way I see it.”

Wherever the position, Tom continues to play well. Tom played at right tackle for all 12 of Jordan Love’s snaps on Friday, then shifted to center for another 16 snaps. He was spotless in pass protection and showed his improved power in his limited snaps as a run blocker.

“Yeah, I think I had a pretty good game,” Tom said. “I was only in at right tackle for the first couple drives, but I thought I played pretty good before they put me at center. I think there’s some things that I can get better with at center. Overall, that’s the first time I played center since 2019 so, considering everything, I thought it was a pretty good performance.”

Indeed, Tom hadn’t played a game at center since starting 13 times for Wake Forest as a redshirt sophomore in 2019. He shifted to left tackle for his final two seasons and earned second-team All-American honors as a senior in 2021.

Critically, especially given the problems with the center-quarterback exchange between the young backups, his snaps were on point.

“If I’m playing center that day, I’ll work center before practice,” Tom said. “I think I’ve played enough of it over the past two years. I played it during scout team last year, so I’ve played enough to where it is pretty natural. Obviously, there’s things to clean up but it’s natural now.”

Then, he added the perfect word for a player who has been good at every position but doesn’t spend enough time at one spot to feel truly settled.

“Somewhat.”

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