The Green Bay Packers will be heading into the 2024 season with a lot fewer questions than they had entering the 2023 season. They seemed to have solidified their young group of weapons on offense, their running back position, and their quarterback of the future.
Their defense has also undergone some changes but the future seems bright under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. However, the offensive line is certain to undergo some changes, especially after one recent comment.
The Green Bay Packers Are Going To See Changes On The Offensive Line
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According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky:
Rasheed Walker could be the Packers‘ left tackle for the next several years, or perhaps his 15-game stint as the starter last season was simply a placeholder, someone to bridge the gap between five-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari and the next blindside protector of Jordan Love.
Everyone — Walker included — will have a better idea after the draft.
If general manager Brian Gutekunst picks a tackle at No. 25 overall — or perhaps higher if he makes a draft-day trade — it will reveal exactly where Walker stands. A Day 2 pick might leave things ambiguous.
“It’s all out of my control,” Walker said this week. “I can just do what I do. If they draft another tackle, it’s out of my control. It [has] nothing to do with me.”
The last part is where Walker is wrong — it has everything to do with him.
What Will The Packers Do At Left Tackle?
Asked if Walker was the left tackle of the future based on his performance last year, Packers coach Matt LaFleur responded: “Well, he was our left tackle last year.” before adding, “I think so.”
There is still a question as to whether Walker’s run began out of necessity or if he will be there long-term:
“I thought he had a really good year,” LaFleur said. “I think there’s a lot of room for improvement just in terms of from a consistency standpoint, you know, playing 70 plays at a high level. We’ve seen some great flashes from him. He’s certainly athletic enough to do it. So it’s going to be a big offseason for him, but he’s a guy that we’re certainly confident in.”
The Packers have 11 draft picks this year, including five in the first three rounds. It won’t be surprising if the Packers choose to use one of those premium picks on the offensive line, specifically at tackle.
The release of David Bakhtiari this off-season confirmed that the Packers are in need of a long-term plan at left tackle. The Packers have not taken an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2011 (Derek Sherrod).
That means Green Bay may very well address the LT position in mid to late rounds as well. Regardless, this is a huge off-season for Rasheed Walker’s future with the team.
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