Green Bay Packers fans have reason to cheer as the team prepares for its highly anticipated NFC Wild Card Round matchup against the Chicago Bears this Saturday night. Right tackle Zach Tom, a linchpin of the Packers’ offensive line, is expected to return to action after missing the final three games of the regular season with a knee injury. Coach Matt LaFleur, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, couldn’t hide his optimism about Tom’s potential impact, calling him “our most consistent offensive lineman” and “one of the best in the league at his position.”
Tom was sidelined after injuring his knee in the first half of a tough 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos on December 14, 2025. The timing of the injury was a blow for Green Bay, as Tom had been a model of reliability throughout the year. According to Pro Football Focus, Tom is the Packers’ highest-graded offensive lineman in both run blocking and pass protection, and his stats are nothing short of remarkable: not a single sack allowed over 351 pass-blocking snaps and just one penalty committed in 604 total snaps during the 2025 season. Talk about setting the bar high!
The absence of Tom forced the Packers into some lineup shuffling. Jordan Morgan and Darian Kinnard each took turns starting at right tackle, but neither could quite match Tom’s steady presence. The need for stability on the offensive line has been even more acute with starting center Elgton Jenkins on injured reserve since November 10, 2025, after suffering an ankle injury. The return of Tom couldn’t have come at a better time, especially with Chicago’s formidable edge rusher Montez Sweat looming on the horizon. Sweat, who has rushed from the defense’s left side on a whopping 370 snaps this season, is widely regarded as the Bears’ top pass rusher. In their first meeting at Lambeau Field, Tom allowed three pressures (all hurries) but still managed to earn his second-highest run blocking grade of the year—a testament to his resilience and skill.
LaFleur’s confidence in Tom’s readiness was clear: “I would expect it,” he said when asked if Tom would play Saturday. “He’s our most consistent offensive lineman. He’s one of the best, I think, in the league at his position. So that would definitely be a boost.” The coach’s words echo the sentiment of Packers fans everywhere, who have seen the offensive line struggle at times without Tom anchoring the right side.
Tom’s journey this season has been anything but smooth. He’s appeared in just 12 games due to a string of injuries, including a brief cameo in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns, where he reaggravated an oblique injury on the opening play and had to exit after just one snap. Despite these setbacks, Tom’s performance when healthy has been elite. He’s surrendered only one quarterback hit all season, and his clean slate in pass protection is a big reason why the Packers’ offense has been able to function at a high level when at full strength.
Tom’s value to the franchise hasn’t gone unnoticed. Before the 2025 training camp, the 26-year-old signed a four-year, $88 million contract extension, tying him for the third-highest-paid right tackle in the NFL with an average annual salary of $22 million. That’s a hefty investment, but based on his production, the Packers are getting their money’s worth.
The potential return of Tom isn’t the only good news for Green Bay heading into the postseason. Quarterback Jordan Love, who has missed the last two and a half games after suffering a concussion in a Week 16 loss to the Bears, is set to start on Saturday. Love was cleared for the season finale against the Vikings and dressed as the backup, but didn’t see any action as the team rested key starters with the No. 7 seed already locked up. LaFleur confirmed, “Jordan will start on Saturday,” signaling a return to normalcy for the Packers’ offense.
Love’s absence has been felt, but the team has tried to make the most of its depth. On Tuesday, the Packers made several roster moves, including signing quarterback Desmond Ridder from the practice squad and releasing Clayton Tune, who had struggled in limited action. Malik Willis, who missed the Vikings game due to hamstring and shoulder injuries, is expected to be ready to serve as Love’s backup against Chicago. The team also bolstered its practice squad by adding wide receivers Julian Hicks and Kisean Johnson, along with tight end Messiah Swinson.
For the Packers, the return of key players couldn’t be more timely. The last time Tom, Love, wide receiver Christian Watson, and running back Josh Jacobs all shared the field was during the first half against the Broncos on December 14, when the Packers put up 16 points before injuries began to take their toll. Having their preferred starting offensive line together again for the postseason could be the difference-maker against a Bears defense that thrives on pressure. With Tom set to square off against Montez Sweat, the battle in the trenches will be one to watch. Can Tom’s elite pass protection neutralize Chicago’s top threat? Packers fans are eager to find out.
Tom’s impact extends beyond just statistics. Since being drafted in the fourth round out of Wake Forest in 2022, he’s started 51 games over four seasons, earning a reputation as a leader in the locker room and a technician on the field. His consistency and professionalism have made him a favorite among coaches and teammates alike. As LaFleur put it, “That would definitely be a boost.”
Saturday night’s wild-card showdown at Soldier Field promises to be a classic, with the 9-7-1 Packers looking to upset the 11-6 Bears on their home turf. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the return of a healthy Zach Tom could tilt the balance in Green Bay’s favor. But with Chicago’s defense eager to exploit any weakness, nothing is guaranteed. The action is set, and the storylines are swirling—will Tom’s return spark a playoff run, or will the Bears’ pass rush prove too much to handle?
As kickoff approaches, all eyes will be on the Packers’ offensive line and their star right tackle. With Tom back in the fold and Love leading the offense, Green Bay has every reason to believe they can make some postseason noise. Saturday’s clash with the Bears is shaping up to be a must-watch, with plenty of intrigue and high stakes on both sides. The countdown to kickoff is on, and the Packers’ playoff hopes may just rest on the sturdy shoulders of Zach Tom.
