The right tackle on Zach Bako-Bewele’s season is over, and the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line is now gone for good, having torn his patellar tendon during Sunday’s 20-17 overtime win over the New York Jets, and the injury reshapes the team’s game. That leaves the team with a significant loss of its most dependable protector up front.
The knee Bako-Bewele injured last December against Denver was the same one he was using to block David Bailey when his patellar tendon fully tore. That same knee had previously partially torn during that earlier game, and now the damage is total.
“I mean, I don’t think the turf helped. Yeah, I don’t know. Just something that happened, so I’ve just got to move forward.”
Bako-Bewele answered Fox Sports with no nonsense. Surgery and a nine-month recovery period await him, which means his immediate goal is getting healthy again rather than rushing back onto the field.
The Injury That Changed the Game
Sunday’s game saw a first-quarter incident involving Bako-Bewele, who was blocking Bailey when the tendon ruptured.
Nine months of recovery time stands between him and a return to play, after an injury brought his 2026 campaign to an end.
A Career Built on Consistency
Bako-Bewele is a 2022 fourth-round pick from Wake Forest. He has started 53 games since joining the Packers, and his sudden absence creates a massive roster crisis for the franchise.
Before this news broke, the Packers were already facing injuries to Aaron Banks and Elgton Jenkins. Now Anthony Belton is expected to step in at right tackle, even as LaFleur watches Belton’s elbow. With fewer dependable choices left around quarterback Jordan Love, the team’s protection numbers are already poor.
The Protection Problem
For years, Green Bay’s offensive line has lagged behind the rest of the team, and the pressure numbers back up that reputation. Now an injury to Bako-Bewele has made the problem even more serious.
According to ESPN Analytics, the Packers rank among the worst teams in the league when it comes to protecting the quarterback from rushers. Love is under pressure an average of 2.36 seconds after the ball is snapped, which leaves little room for receivers to run longer routes. This fast pressure keeps the offense from stretching plays downfield.
The Packers finished last season 9-7-1 and still carried hopes of chasing another Lombardi Trophy. The line has become the first major barrier to that goal.
What LaFleur Faces Now
The quarterback protection crisis falls on LaFleur to manage going forward. Right now, the open question concerns Belton’s ability to handle the job.
Belton stands as the likely substitute while his elbow situation remains unresolved. Should he be unable to play, Green Bay will have to turn to another source of assistance. Management has already been connected to a potential deal for added offensive aid.
Thursday brings Love’s next test, a meeting with the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. Each early pressure will show how much losing Bako-Bewele has hurt.
The Order of Options
The Packers’ right tackle position currently sits in this rough order:
- Anthony Belton — the presumed replacement, pending his elbow status.
- Trade target — the front office has been linked to a possible deal.
- Internal depth — the team has other linemen who could step in, though none have proven themselves at this position.
A Line That Has Already Struggled
The Green Bay offensive line has long been a weak spot, and the pressure numbers prove it. Now an injury to Bako-Bewele has made the problem even worse.
The snap triggers a fast rush from defenders, which hits the quarterback within about 2.36 seconds on average. This quick pressure cuts down the offense’s chances to run plays that stretch the field vertically.
The Packers now face a significant obstacle to their championship hopes: the line. A dependable right tackle is missing, and if the team cannot find one soon, the protection numbers could deteriorate further.
The Packers now sit with a difficult situation ahead. The loss of a key member of their offensive line for the rest of the year alters the whole approach to this campaign. The front office has little choice but to shift course fast if the team wants to stay in contention for a championship. LaFleur will need to handle quarterback protection through this crisis from here on out.
Every early pressure on Thursday will show how much it costs to lose Bako-Bewele.
Source material: “Jordan Love Loses Key Protector as Packers Starter Suffers Season-Ending Injury,” Yahoo Sports.
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