Packers underrated piece makes curious yet powerful life decision ahead of the 2026 NFL season
Right tackle Zach Tom legally changes name to Zach Bako-Bewele, honoring Nigerian heritage as training camp heats up in Green Bay.
Green Bay Packers right tackle Zach Tom made a notable personal decision this offseason, legally changing his name to Zach Bako-Bewele. The name combines his grandparents’ Nigerian last names, a tribute to his heritage as a player of African descent. Bako-Bewele discussed the decision during Packers training camp, right after Sunday’s practice.
“Especially when I start having kids, I want to have a name that I can pass down where it represents where they came from, where I came from,” the offensive lineman said.
One of Green Bay’s most reliable players
Bako-Bewele was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and played college football at Wake Forest. The Packers drafted him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has since established himself as one of the best right tackles in the league. Last season, he logged 351 pass-blocking snaps without allowing a single sack and gave up just one knockdown. He ranked 14th among qualified tackles with an 81.9 PFF run-blocking grade, proving his value as an all-around lineman.
Head coach Matt LaFleur has praised Bako-Bewele as one of the best players on the team and the most consistent, reliable presence along the offensive line. That trust is reflected in the investment Green Bay made last offseason, signing him to a four-year, $88 million extension.
Healthy and ready for 2026
Bako-Bewele injured his knee late last season and missed the final stretch of the regular season along with the Packers’ playoff game against the Chicago Bears. The good news for Green Bay is that he did not start training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, signaling a full recovery. He is expected to be ready from the start of the 2026 season.
The Packers view Bako-Bewele as one of the most impactful pieces on their roster, and his return to full health strengthens an offensive line that will be central to the team’s goals this year.