GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – The Green Bay Packers are searching for answers along their offensive line following a brutal outing in Atlanta, and veteran reinforcements have arrived just in time.
Quarterback Jordan Love was hit 15 times during the team’s loss to the Falcons, highlighting an urgent need for protection up front. In response, the Packers brought in 34-year-old offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson, a 12-year NFL veteran with 162 career starts.
“I feel like I come in and provide some stability, some toughness, some leadership as well,” Tomlinson said. “Obviously going into year 12, I’ve played a lot of ball. And I feel like I still got a lot left in the tank. So I feel like I can bring a lot to the team.”
Tomlinson is not ruling out making his Packers debut as early as this Sunday in Tampa Bay. Easing the transition is his prior relationship with Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich from their time together in San Francisco, as well as his familiarity with fellow new addition Mekhi Becton from their stint together with the New York Jets.
“I mean, I’m here. I’m here working with the coaches. I’m here learning the playbook, everything,” Tomlinson said. “So like I said, familiarity with the scheme, it helps us a ton. And now it’s just going out there working with the guys. Whatever coach wants, whatever coach wants. I mean, anything they want from me, I mean, I’m ready to go.”
Head coach Matt LaFleur now faces the challenge of identifying the best starting five combinations and integrating Tomlinson and Becton into the unit.
“All you can control is how you respond to every situation,” LaFleur said. “And we’re going to attack it head-on and try to put the guys out there that we feel give us the best opportunity to go win a football game. I think it’s great. I mean, these guys have played a lot of football. So they know how to play the game. And the game’s not too big for them. But it’s certainly there’s going to be a learning curve there.”
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay faces quarterback uncertainty of its own. The Buccaneers will be without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield on Sunday, paving the way for undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to make the start under center.
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