The Green Bay Packers, at 2-5, are about to embark on an effort to salvage their 2023 NFL season. While winning the division and making the playoffs may not be on their radar, putting a competent product on the field, particularly on offense, is among their chief concerns at the moment. There is so much going wrong on offense in every part of the game.
During the Packers’ most recent loss, left tackle Rasheed Walker was benched in favor of Yosh Nijman. Walker entered the game again later when Nijman left with a foot injury, but the latter avoided serious injury and is available for Green Bay’s Week Nine matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
Head coach Matt LaFleur has already said that the left tackle starting job is up for grabs, with Walker and Nijman being the top candidates. However, in doing their due diligence, Green Bay also worked out a free agent tackle.
The Green Bay Packers Work Out Offensive Tackle Obinna Eze
for tAug 25, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Lions offensive tackle Darrin Paulo (69) and offensive tackle Obinna Eze (65) during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsNFL reporter Aaron Wilson was the first to report that the Packers had worked out offensive tackle Obinna Eze yesterday:
#Packers worked out Anthony Cook, Obinna Eze and Tyree Gillespie
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 30, 2023
Eze was an undrafted free agent from the 2022 NFL Draft who signed with the Detroit Lions. He spent last season on their practice squad, but was cut when the Lions trimmed their 2023 roster to 53. He was picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers and was signed to their practice squad, but was released last week.
Previously, Eze played college football at Memphis and TCU.
Eze is a tall lineman, standing six-foot-eight and weighing 328 pounds. His size is similar to that of current Packers offensive tackle Caleb Jones, who is six-foot-nine and weighs 320 pounds.
Should Yosh Nijman or Rasheed Walker Start on Sunday for the Green Bay Packers?
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Eze’s workout with the Packers did not result in a signing, yet. However, it does spotlight the fact that Green Bay is not happy with the left tackle position. Despite Walker’s struggles, Nijman has been buried on the Packers’ bench for much of the season.
The fact of the matter is that the Packers’ offense, centered around Jordan Love, is young. One could argue it is too young. There are so many mistakes being made by the offensive line and pass catchers that the mistakes Love makes look worse than they might be.
For this reason, it would be the responsible decision for LaFleur to start Nijman at left tackle. While he is no David Bakhtiari, he is experienced and has filled in well at both left tackle and right tackle.
Walker has given up a team-high 14 pressures, per PFF, and a team-high three sacks. If the Packers want to get a fair evaluation of Love, they need the players around him to play better. And if they do not, the coaches need to give other players a chance.
Nijman has proven he is good enough to start at either tackle position. Why he wasn’t put in that position earlier is up for debate, but was easily one of the worst decisions of the season thus far.
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