GREEN BAY \u2014 Somehow, Zach Tom has simultaneously played well enough to be considered one of the NFL\u2019s best right tackles and be in line for a megabucks contract extension, and not played well enough that he is immune to the Green Bay Packers\u2019 competition-a-palooza on their offensive line this offseason.<\/p>\n
No wonder the fourth-year right tackle was taking it all in stride on Tuesday as he spoke with reporters following the second open-to-the-media organized team activity practice of the spring.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just moving forward,\u201d Tom said.<\/p>\n
At this time last year, Tom had been reduced to spectator, having suffered a torn pectoral muscle while bench-pressing early in the team\u2019s offseason program. He subsequently underwent surgery to repair it at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, forcing him to sit out the OTA practices and he was limited to individual drill work for the first week and a half of training camp last summer.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he started all 18 of the Packers\u2019 games last season (including playoffs) and played 1,070 of the Packers\u2019 offensive snaps in the regular season (98.7%). Pro Football Focus had him as their sixth-highest graded offensive tackle league-wide, as the third-year starter finished with an overall grade of 85.8, a run-blocking grade of 87.8 and a pass-blocking grade of 81.0 \u2014 all personal bests.<\/p>\n
He also finished third among right tackles in the Associated Press\u2019 annual All-Pro balloting, behind Detroit\u2019s Penei Sewell and Philadelphia\u2019s Lane Johnson. No other right tackles league-wide received a vote.<\/p>\n
Which is why the 26-year-old Tom would seemingly be a no-brainer for a contract extension, now that he\u2019s eligible for one after starting 39 games \u2014 34 at right tackle, four at left tackle and one a left guard \u2014 in his first three seasons.<\/p>\n
In his position, more than a few players have chosen to skip the voluntary portion of the offseason program to protect themselves from an untimely injury that could impact their earning power.<\/p>\n
Not Tom.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really think it\u2019ll do me any good to sit out. I\u2019m trying not to worry about the contract situation. I\u2019m just trying to do what\u2019s best for the team,\u201d Tom said. \u201cAnd being here with the guys, I think that\u2019s worth a lot more.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe contract situation will take care of itself. So, I\u2019m just here working and grinding with the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if he was happy that Tom decided to attend the offseason program despite his contract situation, head coach Matt LaFleur replied, \u201cI think that tells you how much it means to him. You always want, you want everybody here this time of the year and understanding that it is voluntary and, but, yeah, that means a lot. I know for me, it means a lot to me.<\/p>\n