Zach Tom has simultaneously played well enough to be considered one of the NFL’s best right tackles and be in line for a megabucks contract extension, and not played well enough that he is immune to the Green Bay Packers’ competition-a-palooza on their offensive line this offseason.
No wonder the fourth-year right tackle was taking it all in stride on Tuesday as he spoke with reporters following the second open-to-the-media organized team activity (OTA) practice of the spring.
“I’m just moving forward,” Tom said.
At this time last year, Tom had been reduced to a spectator, having suffered a torn pectoral muscle while bench-pressing early in the team’s offseason program. He subsequently underwent surgery to repair it at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, forcing him to sit out the OTA practices, and he was limited to individual drill work for the first week and a half of training camp last summer.
Nevertheless, he started all 18 of the Packers’ games last season (including playoffs) and played 1,070 of the Packers’ offensive snaps in the regular season (98.7%). Pro Football Focus had him as their sixth-highest graded offensive tackle league-wide, as the third-year starter finished with an overall grade of 85.8, a run-blocking grade of 87.8, and a pass-blocking grade of 81.0 — all personal bests.
He also finished third among right tackles in the Associated Press’ annual All-Pro balloting, behind Detroit’s Penei Sewell and Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson. No other right tackles league-wide received a vote.
Which is why the 26-year-old Tom would seemingly be a no-brainer for a contract extension, now that he’s eligible for one after starting 39 games — 34 at right tackle, four at left tackle, and one a left guard — in his first three seasons.
In his position, more than a few players have chosen to skip the voluntary portion of the offseason program to protect themselves from an untimely injury that could impact their earning power.
Not Tom.
“I don’t think it’ll do me any good to sit out. I’m trying not to worry about the contract situation. I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team,” Tom said. “And being here with the guys, I think that’s worth a lot more.
“The contract situation will take care of itself. So, I’m just here working and grinding with the guys.”
Coach LaFleur Praises Tom’s Work Ethic
Asked if he was happy that Tom decided to attend the offseason program despite his contract situation, head coach Matt LaFleur replied, “I think that tells you how much it means to him. You always want, you want everybody here this time of the year, and understanding that it is voluntary, but, yeah, that means a lot. I know for me, it means a lot to me.”
But at the same time, the 6-foot-4, 304-pound Tom is — at least according to offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, the team’s former line coach — competing to keep his starting job.
If that seems incongruous to Tom, given his résumé, Tom insisted Tuesday that it doesn’t bother him — and that it’s simply part of the journey of a former fourth-round pick who must constantly prove himself.
“I mean, it’s the NFL. You’re always competing,” Tom said. “In my career, I’ve never had anything handed to me. I’m a little undersized, maybe, so I’ve had to work for everything I got. It’s always a competition. So, I’m not too concerned about it.
“You always have to go out there and earn your position every day.”
Competition Is Real, But Tom Remains Focused
During the two open-to-reporters OTA sessions so far, Tom has worked with the No. 1 offensive line at right tackle nonstop. Rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton took the right tackle reps with the No. 2 offense on Tuesday, but he hasn’t worked with the starters at this point.
And while LaFleur spoke of Tom’s versatility Tuesday, he also emphasized that “the plan” is for Tom to stay at right tackle.
“That’s where he’s kind of found his home,” LaFleur said. “I think Zach’s in a lot better space physically than he was a year ago. I mean, it’s tough when you’re rehabbing to get stronger and faster and in better shape [while] you’re practicing and doing all the drill work.”
Which is why, for his part, Tom is focusing on the bigger picture of earning his place among the NFL’s elite tackles, setting his current circumstances aside.
“At the end of the day, it’s still football. So, whether you get a new contract or not, you’re still playing football,” he said. “I’m just not trying to think about it. I’m just trying to get better.
“I’ve just got to hone in on my technique, being consistent in that, because I think when I’m at my best, I’m the best in the league. But I’ve just got to be able to do that more consistently than I think I have.”
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