Zach Tom is facing a tough decision following his recent injury struggles.
GREEN BAY – Zach Tom, the Green Bay Packers' starting right tackle, pushed himself to the limit in hopes of participating in Saturday night's NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Chicago Bears. Despite his determination, he ultimately had to accept that his injured knee would not allow him to perform at his best.
"Making the call not to play was one of the toughest choices I've ever encountered," Tom shared. "You always want to contribute during the playoffs, especially when everything is on the line. However, I realized that I wasn't in a position to effectively support my team on the field."
Tom became acutely aware of the severity of his situation after sustaining a partially torn patellar tendon in Week 14 during a game against the Denver Broncos. This injury poses significant risks, particularly if it were to worsen into a complete tear.
To aid his recovery, the 6-foot-4, 304-pound lineman received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, which he hoped would expedite his healing process and possibly enable him to return for the playoffs.
Unfortunately, the improvement in his knee was not as substantial as both he and the training staff had anticipated, forcing Tom to watch from the sidelines as the Packers' season concluded with a narrow 31-27 defeat against the Bears.
"I felt capable of performing many of my duties, but I never truly felt secure during pass protection," Tom explained. "If an opponent was determined to drive right through me, I doubt I could have matched their intensity."
This marked a frustrating end to what began as a promising season for Tom, who had been rewarded for his consistency on the offensive line with a lucrative contract extension last July.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft from Wake Forest, Tom had started an impressive 37 consecutive games (including playoffs) and seemed to be continuing his strong performance until he sustained an oblique injury in the Packers’ regular-season opener against Detroit.
After that, he managed just one snap over the next three games and was listed with a back issue for the remainder of the season, even after returning to play. Although he was displaying resilience as an offensive lineman in December, the knee injury he suffered in Denver proved to be the final blow to his already challenging 2025 season.
Now, Tom is "leaning towards" the option of surgery to repair his patellar tendon, a procedure that would entail a six-month rehabilitation period. Beyond addressing the knee problem, he is also keen on investigating the underlying reasons behind his frequent injuries.
"It’s a tough situation. You can either wallow in self-pity, or use this offseason to determine if there’s something I need to change in my approach," Tom reflected. "Perhaps I should gain some weight. Maybe I need to enhance my physical condition. Clearly, we need to find a solution since I keep getting injured."
When he was feeling somewhat healthy, Tom remained among the top players in his position, receiving the fourth-highest number of votes among right tackles in the Associated Press All-Pro voting, despite missing five games.
The Packers also faced significant losses, including that of All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Denver. Following that, Green Bay couldn’t secure a single win for the rest of the season.
Reflecting on the team’s challenges, Tom said, "The execution was lacking. There were several mistakes we made during that game that simply can't happen in playoff football. Some responsibility falls on me; I recognize that I must step up as a leader and take charge."
This offseason will be intriguing for the Packers’ offensive line, which also lost Elgton Jenkins to a season-ending ankle injury in Week 10. Tom’s fellow 2022 draft classmates, left tackle Rasheed Walker and center Sean Rhyan, are both approaching unrestricted free agency in March.
Rhyan recently informed reporters that he narrowly avoided a major knee injury in the final moments of the Bears game, suffering only a bone bruise that shouldn't hinder his offseason preparations.
Tom praised Walker for his resilience, expressing hope that the former seventh-round pick would return next season. Walker has impressively participated in 55 consecutive games, including 48 starts, since the start of the 2023 regular season.
"Getting drafted in the seventh round and evolving into a starting left tackle in the NFL has truly been a blessing," Walker commented. "I've loved my time here, taking pride in protecting Jordan Love or whoever else was back there at quarterback. I've formed great relationships with many teammates. It's been a wonderful experience, and I'm ready for whatever comes next."
Tom is eager to move past the disappointments of the 2025 season. He looks forward to collaborating with rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton, who stepped in at right guard during the critical stretch of the season, and he hopes that improved health and continuity will lead to better results in 2026.
"Injuries at any position make it difficult to develop chemistry, but it's particularly challenging for the offensive line," Tom stated. "You obviously want to be present and build that rapport, especially since Belton was moved next to me, and you strive to get as many reps together as possible. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out that way."
