In professional sports, when a contract dispute is taking place between a star player and their team, the player usually tends to stay away until he or she signs the contract.
However, Packers starting right tackle Zach Tom is not going about it that way.
Zach Tom Continues to Practice as He Waits for Extension
Heading into his fourth NFL season, which also happens to be a contract year, Tom is looking for a major payday from the Packers’ organization.
However, that has not stopped him from showing up to practice in Green Bay in a voluntary capacity this Spring.
While speaking with reporters this week, the former Wake Forest star chatted about why he is in attendance for OTAs when he doesn’t necessarily have to be.
Here is what he had to say (via insider Matt Schneidman):
“I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team. And being here with the guys, I think that’s worth a lot more.”
Packers RT Zach Tom is awaiting a massive contract extension, so why has he been at voluntary practices without one?
“I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team. And being here with the guys, I think that’s worth a lot more …”
Story: https://t.co/xcbN1xxIs5
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 3, 2025
If you are a Green Bay Packers fan, this is the type of player you want playing for your team, especially considering he appears to be all-in on the team and less so about the money.
Why Zach Tom Will Earn a Massive Payday
Only Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell and Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson earned more All-Pro votes than Tom last season.
Those two players are on a Hall of Fame trajectory at this point in time, which just goes to show how elite of a player Tom is.
The former All-ACC tackle has started all 17 games in each of the last two seasons, and because of how impressive he was, it looks like the future of his career could be set in Green Bay.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tom was the highest-graded right tackle in the entire league during the 2024 season.
Zach Tom at OTAs ⤵️
“I think when I’m at my best, I’m the BEST in the league”
Matt LaFleur said yesterday that it means a lot that Zach Tom has been at voluntary OTAs when he could be sitting out until he gets his contract extension pic.twitter.com/9J7zmgyGe0
— Hogg (@HoggNFL) June 4, 2025
Packers franchise quarterback Jordan Love should feel a lot more comfortable with Tom providing the anchor on the right side of the line.
Look for No. 50 to earn more than a few All-Pro votes in the near future, especially if he is ultimately extended in Green Bay.
