Packers Sign Veteran Guard Laken Tomlinson

[Joemailman]

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers have added some much-needed offensive line help by signing veteran guard Laken Tomlinson, according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Tomlinson, 34, had been on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.

The 2015 first-round pick has played in 173 career games but none since Week 17 of last season.

[Joemailman]

Jacob Westendorf
@JacobWestendorf

He’s a veteran, pointed out to me by @by_JBH that he’s almost exclusively played LG, so he’ll probably play right tackle. (That’s a joke, I think?) Not a savior, and was on a PS for a reason. Maybe raises the floor over the trinity of terror that has been GBs LG spot.

[MadScientist]

He's probably a bit below average at this point. That makes him miles above whoever the Packers have been putting there. They need to do the same for RG. Tackles are probably harder to come by, but hopefully they can find something. This shit-show has to end now.

[pbmax]

If he starts ahead of Burton, I must be missing something. I thought for a first start it wasn't terrible. And his fill-in work last week was good. Monk looks shakier to me.

But maybe this is about cohesiveness and getting calls right.

[Joemailman]

If he starts ahead of Burton, I must be missing something. I thought for a first start it wasn't terrible. And his fill-in work last week was good. Monk looks shakier to me.

But maybe this is about cohesiveness and getting calls right.

Both PFF and Andy Herman gave Burton the lowest score of any Packer. Wasn't Burton playing some RG in training camp? Maybe they want him to eventually replace Monk.

[pbmax]

Both PFF and Andy Herman gave Burton the lowest score of any Packer. Wasn't Burton playing some RG in training camp? Maybe they want him to eventually replace Monk.

Man I just did not see it that way but I cannot say I saw all his snaps through my fingers. There were also the tackles and Monk to watch and worry about.

We've been here before. Colledge and Spitz nearly went to the 2007 SB as rookies (or near rookies anyway). The youngsters will grow even if some (Spitz) don't pan out long term.

Let's also remember the idea that a PS signing is going to step in and start soon is likely a pipe dream. That is depth and maybe options eventually. Still haven't signed Zeitler.

[Bretsky]

Man I just did not see it that way but I cannot say I saw all his snaps through my fingers. There were also the tackles and Monk to watch and worry about.

We've been here before. Colledge and Spitz nearly went to the 2007 SB as rookies (or near rookies anyway). The youngsters will grow even if some (Spitz) don't pan out long term.

Let's also remember the idea that a PS signing is going to step in and start soon is likely a pipe dream. That is depth and maybe options eventually. Still haven't signed Zeitler.

Sh@tgag hates Badgers. PLUS, I think his overbloated ego (just my opinion) makes him less likely to sign Zeitler when the hole state of Packer/Badgers fans are thinking WTF.

As for Burton, I just think the dude needs to get physically stronger

[Patler]

Jacob Westendorf
@JacobWestendorf

He’s a veteran, pointed out to me by @by_JBH that he’s almost exclusively played LG,

Banks going to IR ????

[Fritz]

That Banks signing is going down as one of the worst free agent signings in Green Bay in many a year. It has had a butterfly effect on the whole line. IF Banks were healthy and playing reasonably well, you'd have your choice of Monk, Burton, or Jennings at RG.

But no.

I watched a bit of Ravens-Cowboys, and it's amazing what a good offensive line can do for an offense.

[MadScientist]

Sh@tgag hates Badgers. PLUS, I think his overbloated ego (just my opinion) makes him less likely to sign Zeitler when the hole state of Packer/Badgers fans are thinking WTF.

As for Burton, I just think the dude needs to get physically stronger

He also needs better footwork, better handwork, and a fucking clue as to what his assignments are.

[Joemailman]

Joining Tomlinson in Green Bay will be Mekhi Becton, a six-year NFL veteran and the 11th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Louisville. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Becton worked out for the Packers on Monday morning and then signed with the team almost immediately.

Becton has been a primary starter for three different teams over the last three years, spending 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers after starting at right guard for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024 season. He started his career with the New York Jets, but he missed almost all of the 2021 season with a torn ACL. He then injured the same knee in training camp the following season and missed the entirety of the 2022 campaign before returning to play 16 games in 2023.

With the Chargers, Becton struggled a bit, but he played 16 of the team’s possible 18 games with 15 starts, all at right guard. Becton also played against the Packers twice as an Eagle in 2024, playing every snap at right guard in the Eagles’ Week 1 and Wild Card victories. The 6-foot-7, 360-pounder becomes a real candidate to step in and get immediate playing time, possibly competing with Tomlinson for snaps at guard.

Interestingly, Becton and Tomlinson overlapped as teammates with the Jets for two seasons, during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. As noted earlier, Becton missed the entire 2022 campaign, but the two started at left tackle and left guard, respectively, during the 2023 season. Also involved in the Jets’ organization that year were a slew of former Packers: former Green Bay offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett held the OC and playcalling duties in New York, while wide receivers Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Malik Taylor and quarterback Tim Boyle were on that team as well. There was one other notable former Packer on the Jets’ roster that year: 2023 was the year that the Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the Jets as well, though his season ended just a few plays into Week 1 when he tore his Achilles tendon.

The signings of both players will likely appear on the NFL’s transaction wire on Monday afternoon. Expect the Packers to make room for these two players on the 53-man roster by placing Zach Bako-Bewele and Jayden Reed on injured reserve.

[Joemailman]

Matt Schneidman
@mattschneidman

Mekhi Becton had labrum surgery in late March after not knowing he played with it torn last season. Played around 360 pounds last year and he's down to 345. He's healthy now. Let's see if he can help the Packers.

Becton had an excellent 2024 season. Struggled last year while playing with injury.

[Joemailman]

Fun fact: Adam Stenavich was Tomlinson's asst offensive line coach at SF in 2017-18.

There should be some similarities in the offense they were running and what MLF is running now.

[run pMc]

So, the thinking is Tomlinson will push for time at LG and Becton challenge at RG? If Becton is a go at RG, that side of the line will be massive with Becton and Belton. You'd think they'd lean into gap running there. Either way, I'm not optimistic they will be league average, but if they even get close to that this offense will be much improved.

As for Burton, he screwed up plenty. I've seen him handle a TE stunt with Rhyan better than anything Jennings or Monk has done, but I've also seen him completely blow a few blocks. Agree he needs time to absorb all the calls and definitely get stronger. Speaking of Rhyan, I wonder if he is pressing and/or if his head might be spinning a bit. He's been left out to dry a few times, but has also done some odd things which makes me wonder if he's communicating the protections properly.

[pbmax]

Banks going to IR ????

ZBB went to IR and that's where Tomlinson fit in.