Packers Give Out First Extension Of 2022 Draft Class – Report

   

The Green Bay Packers‘ 2022 NFL Draft was proposed to be a class that would define the team’s future for years to come.

Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay Packers general manager at the 2025 Combine in Indianapolis, on February 25.

With two first rounders and two second round picks obtained from the Davante Adams trade to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Packers had an opportunity to shape their roster in the exact fashion they desired.

Although it failed to usher in some “golden generation” of talent in the 2017 Saints mould, that draft did help them add valuable pieces. Indeed, arguably the most valuable ones came from more unexpected places in the draft.

One of those such pieces is fourth round offensive tackle, Zach Tom, who has without question been the best draft pick of the entire class to date. Now, per Jeremy Fowler, the team has made him that class’ first player to receive a contract extension.

The deal did not come cheap, with Jordan Schultz subsequently reporting that the deal was for 4 years and a total of $88 (possibly rising to $92) million dollars.

 

Zach Tom’s Contract Breaks The Draft Class Deadlock

This extension felt inevitable. If the Packers were going to extend one player not only from the 2022 class, but the entire roster, Tom felt like the one sure bet.

Despite having never been to a Pro Bowl, or nominated for an All-Pro team, Tom has established himself as one of the elite right tackles in the game. The former Wake Forest grad came third in All-Pro voting at right tackle last season, behind just Penei Sewell and Lane Johnson, and his play over his first three excellent seasons in the league has only gotten better and better.

In fact, 4 years and $88 million could well be seen as a bargain for Green Bay. Tom now clocks in as the third highest paid left tackle in the NFL, below the aforementioned Johnson and Sewell – but is making $3 and $5 million less than both respectively each year – and just above the Chiefs’ Jawaan Taylor.

What Does This Mean For The Rest Of The 2022 Class?

Green Bay’s 2022 class has been a slightly strange one. On the one hand, they have extracted seven starters from that group, including fellow offensive linemen, Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan.

And on the other, it feels like the Packers have been unable as of yet to get the most out of some of their top talents from the class.

Former first round pick and inside linebacker, Quay Walker has demonstrated impressive physical prowess, but has lacked consistency in play speed and making correct reads. Defensive tackle, Devonte Wyatt has quietly improved every year, although he has failed to establish himself as a full-time starter on the defensive line prior to this upcoming season.

And wideout, Christian Watson – perhaps the most talented of them all – has failed to stay healthy over the course of his three years in the pros.

Outside of Tom, there were few extension guarantees ahead of the regular season, and it’s likely that 2025 could be a defining year for much of the class.