The Green Bay Packers will eventually extend Zach Tom’s contract. Under NFLPA rules, the team can begin negotiations with their All-Pro right tackle this offseason. However, they could also let him play out the final year of his rookie deal and revisit extension talks just before the start of the 2026 league year.

The only real question is when the Packers will lock in their right tackle for the foreseeable future.

“Not far at all,” Tom said when asked how close he is to becoming one of the league’s top right tackles. “I just gotta hone in on my technique, being consistent in that, because I think when I’m at my best, I’m the best in the league. But I just gotta be able to do that more consistently than I think I have.”

It should be in Green Bay’s best interest to get a deal done with Tom as soon as possible. Not only would that help them avoid future market inflation, but it would also lock in his services at a price that could look like a bargain in two years.

On the other hand, Tom’s camp should understandably aim for the most lucrative deal possible, which could include waiting until after the season to negotiate. However, that approach also carries risk, most notably the possibility of an injury, which could lower his price and give Green Bay more leverage in future negotiations.

This offseason, Tom was asked about choosing not to sit out OTAs and mandatory minicamp despite not having a new contract. His answer is exactly what Packers fans want to hear.

“I don’t really think it’ll do me any good to sit out,” he said. “I’m trying not to worry about the contract situation. I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team. And being here with the guys, I think that’s worth a lot more.”

The Packers could have six starters hitting unrestricted free agency next year: Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Quay Walker, and Tom. That’s five starters on offense alone, which makes next offseason a big one for Green Bay’s front office.

Tom has the edge over the rest in terms of consistency and value, but it’s still tough to commit a major chunk of cap space to one player, especially if it means going over market value. Over the Cap projects Green Bay to have just over $17 million in cap space next year.

While any NFL team can find ways to create additional space through roster moves or restructuring, it will be tough for the Packers to keep all of these starters. The team will have to carefully weigh injury risks, best-case scenarios, and how to maintain financial balance across the rest of the offense.

No high-profile right tackle names are expected to hit the open market in 2026. If Tom wants to reset the market, his camp will likely aim to top Penei Sewell’s $112 million deal with the Detroit Lions, which averages $28 million per year. Tom will almost certainly break the $20 million per year mark, putting him among the top five highest-paid right tackles in the league.

No matter when the Packers and Tom finalize a deal, it will be money well spent. He’s proven incredibly versatile in his three-year career, having played all five positions along the offensive line. Over 1,514 pass-blocking snaps, he’s allowed just 69 pressures and eight QB hits. Outside of Jordan Love, Tom is arguably Green Bay’s most important offensive player and brings the kind of flexibility the Packers highly value in their linemen.

The sooner Green Bay gets Tom’s deal done, the better. They will pay him anyway, so they might as well do it before the salary cap inflates and the price tag climbs even higher. There’s no chance (no jinx intended) the Packers will let him walk. Locking him into a long-term deal before the season begins is simply the smart move.