Through the first three games of the 2026 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers' offensive line has been a mess, which is just fine for Chicago Bears fans.
The unit has consistently struggled to create running lanes for the team's running backs, and quarterback Jordan Love has faced the second-most quarterback pressures in the league (56), one behind Carolina's Bryce Young (57).
For the Bears, this is a welcome sign to see their NFC North foe struggle so much this early in the season. To help address Green Bay's offensive line struggles, the team signed veteran guard Kevin Zeitler to a one-year deal, according to reports.
Packers really trying to catch up with the Bears with new signing
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Zeitler with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He's played in 214 games in his career. Zeitler, 36, has played most of his career at right guard, and that could be where he slots in once he gets acclimated to head coach Matt LaFleur's offense.
During the 2025 season, Zeitler played for the Tennessee Titans. According to Pro Football Focus, the veteran guard allowed four sacks and 16 quarterback pressures in 909 offensive snaps. The veteran offensive lineman dealt with a series of injuries throughout the season, including groin and bicep injuries. In Week 18, he sustained a quadriceps injury.
Teams always need offensive linemen, so, interestingly, Zeitler wasn't part of a team until recently. The Packers are desperate to help an offensive line that has struggled this season. Green Bay also added veteran offensive linemen Lake Tomlinson and Mekhi Becton.
Every single NFL team's offensive line plays as a unit. To create consistency across all five positions, that takes reps, time, and usually an offseason and training camp to feel somewhat confident going into the year.
With all the new additions to Green Bay's offensive line, the unit won't need that for the rest of 2026. Love will have to keep dealing with the growing pains of an offensive line learning on the fly.
Read more: How Bears' defense is quietly near the top of NFL in turnovers (again)
This helps out the Bears, who will go on the road to face the Packers in Week 5 at Lambeau Field. Bears head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will prepare the team for that matchup, but the NFC North game presents a prime opportunity for Chicago's defense to take advantage of a patched-up offensive line.
Add us as a preferred source on Google