The Green Bay Packers signed guard T.J. Lang to a contract extension Monday night, as initially announced by agent Mike McCartney on Twitter last night. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, confirmed the signing on Tuesday.
Lang, a fourth-year player out of Eastern Michigan, was one of only two Green Bay offensive linemen to start all 16 games in 2011 as he opened 15 contests at left guard and one at right tackle. He has started games at three different positions during his pro career (left tackle, left guard, right tackle), appearing in 44 regular-season games with 19 starts in his first three seasons.
Lang was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round (No. 109 overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft. He went on to play in all 16 games with three starts in his first season and became the first Green Bay rookie since 2000 to start consecutive games at left tackle.
The signing allows the franchise to focus on contract extension talks with Pro-Bowl wide receiver Greg Jennings. It is considered to be the last of the "big name" Green Bay free agents following the 2012 season.
