Kevin Zeitler‘s first media session as a member of the Green Bay Packers was an indication that the veteran guard might not need much time before he’s ready to contribute. And that’s the best possible scenario for an offensive line that has dealt with bad performances and plenty of injuries in recent weeks.

The timeline of the signing moved fast. According to Zeitler himself, the Packers first contacted him on Monday to invite him for a visit. The visit happened on Tuesday, and he signed a one-year contract on Wednesday.

Experience shortens the learning curve

The obvious question with any midseason addition is how long it takes to learn the offense. Zeitler didn’t come from a system similar to the one Packers coach Matt LaFleur runs. Nonetheless, he explained why that shouldn’t be a major obstacle.

“The best part about playing for all these teams over the years is I’ve had access to almost every type of offense here and there, so right now, it’s just learning the terminology,” Zeitler said. “But all the concepts, I’ve done in some way, shape or form. Now it’s just learning how the guys talk, how they space themselves, how it all works out. For Day 1, it went pretty darn smoothly, I’d say.”

After so many years in the NFL, Zeitler already knows the general offensive concepts that teams run across the league. So, the work in Green Bay is less about learning football and more about learning a language, how calls are made. Once he has that down, Zeitler believes it will be easier to absorb what the Packers ask of him.

The other factor is conditioning. Zeitler didn’t have a team throughout the offseason program, training camp, and the preseason, but he kept practicing individually. He was keeping his body ready in case an opportunity emerged, and one did this week. For a 36-year-old player, arriving in football shape instead of needing weeks to ramp up can be massive.

“When you’re on your own, it’s up to you to stay ready because you never know when the call’s gonna come,” Zeitler added. “I’ve been all over the country getting the best training, treatment, keeping the body ready and I think all that, in various ways I’ve done it, it honestly has me feeling great.”

A familiar role at right guard

Zeitler was a first-round pick back in 2012, and he has since played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Tennessee Titans. Most of that time came at right guard, with almost 14,000 snaps, and that’s the expectation in Green Bay as well.

On Wednesday, Zeitler was on the field for his first practice with the Packers. He wasn’t technically in the starting lineup, but stood right beside the starters instead of working with the backups, taking mental reps and learning the process.

It’s possible he plays as early as Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If not, it’s realistic to expect him to be available against the Chicago Bears in Week 5.

The starting group for Green Bay on Wednesday had Jordan Morgan at left tackle and Laken Tomlinson at left guard. Tomlinson is another recent addition. The Packers signed him off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad over the weekend, and he brings plenty of experience in this type of system after playing for Kyle Shanahan with the San Francisco 49ers and for Mike LaFleur with the New York Jets.

On the right side, Donovan Jennings lined up at guard, and Anthony Belton played right tackle. Jennings got the right guard reps because both Jacob Monk and Aaron Banks were unavailable due to injuries, which made him the natural option and didn’t allow Tomlinson to move to the right side.

That’s exactly where Zeitler fits. If he can get ready in time, it would make all the sense in the world for the Packers to replace Jennings with Zeitler at right guard, his natural spot.

Mekhi Becton adds depth, but not yet

Fellow former first-round pick Mekhi Becton also practiced on Wednesday, though he’s a member of the practice squad and worked with the backups. Becton is recovering from labrum surgery on his shoulder. Therefore, he will likely need a bit more time before he’s ready to play for Green Bay.

That’s a lot of change for one position group in a single week. But after three weeks of disaster with the initial group, change isn’t necessarily a bad thing.