The first domino in the Green Bay Packers’ 2026 unrestricted free agent class has officially fallen. Just before training camp began, the Packers and star right tackle Zach Tom agreed to a four-year, $88 million extension that keeps him in Green Bay through the 2029 season.

The #Packers and OT Zach Tom agreed to terms on a four-year, $88M extension with a max value of $92M, per The Insiders.

The deal includes a $30.2M signing bonus, the largest for an OL. Deal was done by Michael Hoffman and Nate Sullivan of Sports Law and Management (SLAM). pic.twitter.com/XzWwyOhqJr

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 21, 2025

Green Bay was always going to prioritize signing Tom before the start of camp. He’s arguably their most important offensive player and a cornerstone of the unit. Still, with four offensive starters set to hit free agency in 2026, more decisions are looming for Brian Gutekunst.

One of those decisions will revolve around Sean Rhyan. He didn’t play a single offensive snap as a rookie, but saw action in 229 blocking snaps in 2023 — 101 in the run game and 128 in pass protection. Pro Football Focus graded him at just 42.5 as a pass blocker and 50.8 as a run blocker that season.

I would like to point out Sean Rhyan handling Aaron Donald one-on-one. https://t.co/aaQLr81Inb

— Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) July 12, 2024

Pass protection was the biggest concern for Rhyan heading into the 2024 season, but he showed real growth, finishing with a 65.5 pass-blocking grade. He averaged an 80.1 grade over the final two weeks of the regular season. However, he struggled in the Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles with a 31. Still, Philadelphia’s front was one of the best in the league, and losing Elgton Jenkins to injury during the game didn’t help.

Rhyan has opened training camp as the starting center in Jenkins’ absence, though he’s also been rotating with Jacob Monk between center and right guard. While it’s easy to imagine Green Bay eventually working out a deal with Jenkins, what happens beyond 2025 remains uncertain. The team can clear $20 million in cap space with a post-June 1 release or trade in 2026. Jenkins turns 30 this season, and the Packers rarely sign players to a third contract.

If the Packers move on from Jenkins, Rhyan could be the natural replacement. He didn’t play any snaps at center during his time at UCLA or in the NFL, but the fact that Green Bay is testing him at the position suggests they could be preparing for that possibility.

The most likely scenario is that Rhyan opens the season as Green Bay’s starting right guard. Given that he’s in a contract year, he should be eager to deliver strong performances. Still, if he maintains his current level of play, the Packers could bring him back on a one-year, prove-it deal to avoid creating a hole at the position.

Green Bay is in a good situation with Rhyan and Rasheed Walker, because it has the 2025 season to make their cases for a second contract. The Packers also have Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton under contract. Belton has the size to play left tackle, but Green Bay drafted Morgan specifically for that role. Given his ongoing battle with Walker for the position, the most likely scenario is that Morgan will eventually take over as Jordan Love’s blindside protector.

Anytime the Packers are asked about left tackle Rasheed Walker, the answer is some version of… “He’s capable, but he needs to be more consistent.”

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) July 25, 2025

That would mean Belton could slide inside to play right guard, creating an opportunity for Rhyan to take snaps at center. However, the Packers won’t simply hand him the job. It’s hard to imagine any professional football team giving a player with no previous experience at arguably the most important position on the offensive line a clear path to start without competition.

Rhyan could be facing competition at two spots on the offensive line this year. However, he will most likely stay at guard. Putting together the best season of his career could set him up for a nice contract next year, and whether that will be with the Packers or not is anyone’s guess. Still, he has come a long way since his first snaps in 2023. If that upward trend continues, the Packers could soon find themselves with another good headache along the offensive line.