Veteran guard Laken Tomlinson arrives to try to stabilize the struggling Green Bay Packers' offensive line unit.
The Green Bay Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst are doing everything they can to fix their woeful offensive line.
What that means is taking chances on free agents who are still available for a reason. If these players were that big of a game-changer, they wouldn't be available a handful of weeks into the 2026 season. At this point, though, the Packers have to do what they have to do.
Things are really that bad on the offensive line.
Not only is this offensive line, as currently constructed, easily the worst unit in the NFL right now, but there's a world in which it can be historically bad. There's also a realistic chance that quarterback Jordan Love gets seriously hurt.
Addition No. 1 was veteran guard Laken Tomlinson off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad this past weekend. On Monday, the Packers followed that up by signing former No. 11 overall pick Mekhi Becton, another veteran.
Becton was drafted by the New York Jets in 2020 and was most recently with the Los Angeles Chargers. He can play guard or tackle, which is good for the Packers. The bad? He's coming off a surgically repaired torn labrum and he struggled for much of the 2025 season.
Tomlinson has predominantly been a left guard during his NFL career after being selected No. 28 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He's played in 173 career games since then, and he made the Pro Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021.
With that said, he hasn't played since Week 17 of the 2025 season. He's also 34 years old and if he wasn't more than a practice squad player for the Cowboys, what realistic expectations can the Packers have for him?
Perhaps that's pessimistic, but that's how this 1-2 start has felt for the Packers.
Of course, Tomlinson sees it differently.
"I feel like I come in and provide some stability, some toughness, some leadership as well," Tomlinson said. "Obviously going to year 12, I've played a lot of ball, and I feel like I still got a lot left in the tank."
If he's got anything left in that tank, the Packers need it — especially at guard.
The Pack have started three different players at left guard in three games. Preferred starter Aaron Banks is dealing with toe and knee injuries and already came into this 2026 season with injury concerns.
Even if it's just the stability and leadership, the Packers need to get something positive out of their offensive line.
Per ESPN Research, Green Bay's pass-block win rate is only 16 percent, which is the worst in the NFL. It's not like things are much better in the running game, either. The Packers are averaging just 48.7 rushing yards per game, which is "lowlighted" by just 17 yards against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football in Week 3.
"I feel like I can bring a lot to the team," Tomlinson said.
At this point, even a little would be a lot.
