The Green Bay Packers have a problem at guard, and recent practice sessions have made it impossible to ignore. The coaching staff’s discomfort with the position was on full display after Family Night on Friday and during Sunday’s practice, where the shuffling of offensive linemen revealed a group still searching for answers.

If the Packers don’t act soon and sign veteran free agent guard Kevin Zeitler, they could be putting quarterback Jordan Love at risk behind an unreliable interior offensive line.

Musical chairs on the O-line

The guard situation has been fluid, and not in a good way. On Friday, with Zach Bako-Bewele out of practice, the Packers moved Anthony Belton to right tackle and inserted Jacob Monk at right guard with the first team. When Bako-Bewele returned to the lineup on Sunday, Belton didn’t slide back to his previous spot. Instead, he was benched to the second team, and Monk stayed with the starters at right guard.

That kind of reshuffling shows the coaching staff isn’t comfortable with Belton as a guard. Head coach Matt LaFleur said the former second-round pick might actually be better suited at tackle but needs more time to develop. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for his guard play (or his play whatsoever).

Monk staying with the ones sounds encouraging on the surface, but the reality is less promising. He’s already in his fourth NFL season and has barely played. His best showing came in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings last year. That’s not the kind of résumé that should preclude the Packers from bringing in a proven veteran.

Monk can be a depth piece at best, but he shouldn’t be the Week 1 plan. The Packers can’t afford to gamble on a player with that little experience protecting their franchise quarterback.

Why Kevin Zeitler makes sense

The guard position was a massive issue for Green Bay last season. Aaron Banks struggled, Belton didn’t solidify the spot, and Sean Rhyan had some moments at right guard before transitioning to full-time center, which takes him off the board entirely. Banks is injured again, and the Packers simply don’t have reliable options on the current roster.

Kevin Zeitler solves this problem, at least for a year. He’s 36 years old, but he’s still a capable starter who can step in and provide stability. Last season, he allowed only 16 pressures on 910 snaps. In comparison, Belton allowed 23 pressures on 488 snaps.

Zeitler won’t cost much on the open market at this stage of his career, and the move wouldn’t block anyone’s development. Belton still has three years remaining on his rookie deal, so the Packers could continue developing him at tackle or guard behind Zeitler while the veteran handles the short-term responsibilities.

The Packers invested heavily in Jordan Love, and protecting that investment has to be a priority. Guard play was a significant concern throughout 2025, and if the front office doesn’t address it now, the problem could become even more pressing in 2026.