It just made too much sense.
The Green Bay Packers desperately needed help on the offensive line — particularly at guard. There, out on the open market, was veteran Kevin Zeitler, finally healthy after rehabbing a quad injury during the offseason. Packers fans had spent the last few weeks theorizing about the Wisconsin native and former Badger All-American coming in to save the day, at least at one position on the line; thankfully, the Packers recognized the fit and made it happen.
Is Zeitler really
a panacea for everything plaguing the Packers’ offense? Certainly not. But if he can stabilize one of those interior spots and just not let free rushers through on damn near every play, that will go a long way to helping Jordan Love lead a competent offense.
Meanwhile, you can put to bed any projection of an outside zone running scheme with the recent changes up front. With the line likely to eventually consist of Aaron Banks or Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Zeitler at right guard, and Anthony Belton at tackle, the Packers will almost assuredly be back on board with the power run game. Hopefully that sets up well for a big back like Kaleb Johnson, even if he played in a zone scheme in college.
Zeitler alone won’t save the Packers’ season. The other players and the coaching staff need to do their part. But it does feel like Zeitler’s arrival could be a catalyst that dramatically changes the trajectory of this team’s 2026 campaign.
For Packers and Kevin Zeitler, Here’s Why It’s Dream Fit | SI.comIt’s not hard to explain: Zeitler is from Waukesha, just outside of Milwaukee. He played at Wisconsin. Now he has a chance to wind down his career in his home state.
New Packers OL Kevin Zeitler already making case to start in Week 4 | Packers WireIt’s hard to imagine even a rusty Zeitler playing worse than Jacob Monk has in his three games so far this year.
Meanwhile, Zeitler explains when the Packers contacted him:
Veteran linemen expected to ‘settle things down’ for Packers up front | Packers.com
Between Zeitler and Laken Tomlinson, who took #1 reps at left guard on Wednesday, the team could have a new-look interior line as early as this Sunday.
Green Bay Packers offensive line must give Jordan Love time to be himself | Packersnews.comThat line has to do enough to let Love cook, because the Packers still can’t rely on the run game right now. But if they can at least keep Love from getting pressured quickly all the time, he’s plenty good enough to lead a solid offense.
Steelers trading CB Joey Porter Jr. to Cowboys in exchange for second-, sixth-round picks | NFL.com
TSA reminds travelers peanut butter counts as a liquid at airport security | FOX 5 DC
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