Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich indicated this week that veteran guard Kevin Zeitler could move into a starting role on the offensive line for Sunday’s Week 10 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Zeitler entered the lineup in Week 9 against the New England Patriots after Aaron Banks left with an injury. The 36-year-old played roughly 20 snaps at right guard, with Laken Tomlinson shifting to left guard during that stretch.
“Yeah, I mean, the plan was (Aaron) Banks was our left guard, and Laken (Tomlinson) was our right guard,” Stenavich said on the plan entering Week 9. “Zeitler was obviously the next man in. So Banks went down. Zeitler stepped up, went in there, did a nice job, and so now we’re kind of seeing where everyone’s at.”
Stenavich confirmed that Banks, Zeitler and Tomlinson are all competing for the two guard spots this week.
“I’m kind of interested to see how it plays out this week with Banks, Zeitler, Laker, all of that,” Stenavich said. “And just how that’ll shake out. That’s going to be big. Seeing who steps up.”
The Packers have shuffled their interior line throughout the season as they search for consistent play. Tomlinson initially filled in for the injured Banks at left guard and performed well enough that coaches kept him in the lineup, moving him to right guard once Banks returned.
When Banks went down again in Week 9, the team flipped Tomlinson back to the left side and inserted Zeitler on the right. The combination produced solid results in limited action.
“I think, obviously, adding Laken has helped just kind of settle the past pro issue,” Stenavich added. “And then now with Zeitler and Banks back, we can get Sean Ryan back soon. I think just having those vet guys in there who can handle it, be physical, that’ll be big for us.”
Stenavich’s reference to center Sean Rhyan, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, suggests the staff is also eyeing additional stability up front as the season progresses.
“I like what I’ve seen from Zeitler in there,” Stenavich said. “When he went in and played, he did a really nice job.”
Zeitler, a Wisconsin native and former Badger, has logged more than 14,400 career snaps, nearly all of them at right guard. He signed a one-year deal with Green Bay in late September after spending 2025 with the Tennessee Titans. In his limited Week 9 sample, the run game averaged 4.93 yards per carry on plays involving him, compared with 3.18 yards per carry on other snaps, according to snap-count analysis.
The Packers enter the game at 6-3, while the Vikings sit at 6-2. Kickoff is set for noon CT Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Banks remains under contract for next season after signing a large free-agent deal, making a permanent benching unlikely. Zeitler’s extensive right-guard experience could make him a natural fit if coaches decide to keep him in the lineup after seeing him in action.
Tomlinson has started more than 150 games in his career and helped stabilize the unit earlier this season. The final decision on the starting five is expected to come closer to game day.
The Packers’ rushing attack ranks near the bottom of the league, making any improvement along the interior line potentially significant for the second half of the season. Stenavich’s comments leave open the possibility that Zeitler earns a starting nod this week as the team evaluates who steps up.
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