Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line issues have persisted through the opening three weeks of the season, prompting the Packers to make changes to the group. The team added Laken Tomlinson from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad to its active roster and also brought in free agent Mekhi Becton to the practice squad.
Together, Tomlinson and Becton bring 221 NFL starts to a Green Bay offensive line that lacks experience. With both veterans now in the building, the bigger question is how quickly they can work their way into the Packers’ plans and whether either could see action as early as this week.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur speaks to the media
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Matt LaFleur said the newcomers’ availability on game day will depend largely on how quickly they can learn Green Bay’s offensive system. Both players also offer the flexibility to fill different roles along the line. LaFleur was specifically asked whether Tomlinson would be limited to left guard, where he has spent most of his career, but indicated that he believes the veteran can compete on either side of the interior.
“I think he’s got the versatility to go either left guard or right guard,” commented the Packers head coach.
LaFleur also appears to have a plan for using Becton on the right side of the line, although the Packers have yet to decide whether he will compete at right tackle or right guard.
“Probably more so on the right side. That’s primarily where he’s played,” continued LaFleur.
Laken Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton’s fit with Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay appears to have two spots settled for now, with Jordan Morgan at left tackle and Sean Rhyan at center. The remaining positions are still up for grabs, including left guard. Aaron Banks would normally be the top option there when available, but his injury history has made that difficult. Donovan Jennings and Jager Burton have both received opportunities in his place, and Tomlinson could now enter that competition.
Tomlinson brings a wealth of experience with 162 career starts, including seven starts for the Houston Texans last season. His workload has overwhelmingly come at left guard, where he has logged 10,867 snaps compared to just 65 snaps on the right side.
Becton has 59 career starts of his own, including 14 last season. Most of his recent work has come on the right side, as he spent the past two seasons at right guard after finishing the 2023 season at right tackle. While he has also played left tackle, that experience came earlier in 2023, and he has remained on the right side ever since.
It will be worth watching whether either veteran is ready to earn a starting role for the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.
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