Packers Offensive Line Uncertainty Continues into the Regular Season

The Green Bay Packers offensive line was a major question mark entering training camp this season. Now, with the regular season just a few days away, the uncertainty surrounding the Packers offensive line continues. That’s a major issue as the team opens the season against the Minnesota Vikings who run a defense with multiple blitz packages that are designed to confuse offenses. The uncertainty may have long-term implications for the team beyond Week 1.

Packers Offensive Line Uncertainty Continues: The Players Involved

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted earlier this week that the team remains unsure whether starting right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele and starting left guard Aaron Banks would be able to play in Week 1 against Minnesota. It’s also possible they can only play part of the game.

Pro Football Focus graded Bako-Bewele as the team’s best offensive lineman in each of the last two seasons. He suffered a knee injury last year in Denver and missed the rest of the 2025 campaign. Bako-Bewele returned to training camp and eventually practiced with the full team on 11-on-11 drills. However, he did not play in any of the team’s three preseason games.

Left guard Banks struggled through a disappointing first season with the Packers after signing a lucrative free agent deal a year ago. He played better towards the end of the season but never quite lived up to expectations.

This year, Banks has been limited in training camp by tendonitis in his knee. Because tendonitis is a chronic condition, the issue could impact him throughout the season. The Packers limited his practice time in training camp, but the team is still unsure if he’ll be ready for Week 1.

The Potential Replacements

The depth along the offensive line remains unproven. If Bako-Bewele can’t play against the Vikings or can’t play the full game, he will be replaced by second-year man Anthony Belton.

The Packers selected Belton in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Unlike many other Packers offensive linemen, Belton was not cross trained at multiple positions. He only played tackle initially and served as a backup. When injuries hit the offensive line last season, he was inserted at right guard. He received well below average grades from Pro Football Focus but did improve as the season progressed.

This year, Belton started training camp as the starting right guard, but he struggled. He lost the starting job to Jacob Monk. Part of this switch may have had to do with the injury status of Bako-Bewele. While Belton has size and potential, he has yet to establish himself as a starting quality offensive lineman in the NFL.

If Banks can’t play, rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton will fill in at left guard. Burton had a strong early showing in training camp, but a regular season NFL game is a different level of play. Burton certainly has potential, but it remains unclear if he’s ready to start an NFL game right now.

Packers Offensive Line Uncertainty Continues: The Challenge

The Packers will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 on the road in Minnesota. The Vikings will give the Green Bay offensive line a real challenge. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to disguise his blitz packages to keep offensive linemen and quarterbacks off balance. The Vikings will line up eight players along the line of scrimmage and make you guess which players are rushing the quarterback and who is dropping back into coverage.

The Vikings also play in a dome, and it can get loud inside the stadium. This could impact the linemen’s ability to hear the snap count and put them half a step behind the pass rushers at the snap of the ball.

If the Packers are playing with a rookie left guard in Burton, a right guard in Monk who has started one NFL game in his first two seasons and the unproven Belton at right tackle, the Packers will face a real challenge trying to protect Jordan Love.

The Packers do have some counter moves to make. We could see more of running back Chris Brooks in the lineup against Minnesota. Brooks is the best pass blocking running back on the team and could help pick up any blitzers that get past the initial blocks of the offensive line.

LaFleur could also call for more quick release passes with three-step drops to help neutralize the impact of the pass rush. This could mean a big receiving day for tight ends Tucker Kraft and Jonnu Smith.

Either way, the Packers offensive line will not have an easy time of it in Week 1. The team will need the offensive line to play well if they hope to start the season on a winning note.