Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Jordan Morgan will try winning the left tackle job in training … More
The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way.
Overall, though, no one in the building was happy.
The Packers failed to build on their terrific finish to the 2023 campaign, settled for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs, and lost a Wild Card game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building.
“We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s time we started competing for championships.”
Those are fair expectations.
The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft. With several third and fourth year players trending upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move.
“I think they’re ready,” Gutekunst said.
Now, it’s time for the Packers to prove their G.M. right.
Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 23. Between now and then I will count down the ‘30 Most Important Packers’ heading into the 2025 campaign.
At No. 25 is offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
No. 25
Jordan Morgan, OL
Last season
Morgan, Green Bay’s first round draft pick in 2024, played in just six games before going on the injured reserve list Nov. 16 with a shoulder injury.
Morgan, a left tackle at Arizona, was given every chance to win the Packers’ right guard job last summer. That didn’t happen, though, and he split time with Sean Rhyan early in the season.
Morgan averaged 24.2 snaps per game in the five contests he split time with Rhyan. Then he started and played all 65 snaps at left guard in Week 9 against Detroit when Elgton Jenkins moved to center for an injured Josh Myers.
After a bye in Week 10, though, Morgan went on the injured reserve list ending his rookie season.
Career to date
Morgan was strictly a left tackle in college and allowed just two sacks in 787 total snaps in 2023.
Morgan led Arizona’s offensive line in total blocking grade that season (84.3), run-blocking grade (77.0), and pass-blocking grade (87.3) per Pro Football Focus. His overall offensive blocking grade (84.3) was fifth in the Pac-12, his pass-blocking grade (87.3) was also fifth in the Pac-12 and he was named first-team all-conference.
In Morgan’s final two years with the Wildcats, he allowed just three sacks in 880 pass-blocking snaps.
Morgan is a high-level athlete, but his arms are extremely short compared to most left tackles. Many teams want their left tackles to have 34-inch arms, but Morgan’s are 32’ 7/8”, meaning his best spot could eventually be as an interior lineman.
Still, Green Bay believes Morgan can play left tackle, and the Packers will give him a chance to prove it this summer.
“Well, certainly, I mean, it’s something we feel like he can do,” LaFleur said. “Otherwise we wouldn’t do it. So we’ll let them battle it out and see where it goes.”
Outlook
One of the more fascinating battles of training camp will be Morgan trying to dislodge two-year starter Rasheed Walker from the left tackle position.
Walker has been serviceable the past two seasons, but will be a free agent after the 2025 campaign ends. So if Morgan wins the job, it could benefit Green Bay both short and long term.
Walker won’t be easy to unseat, though. And the Packers aren’t going to simply hand Morgan the job based on his lofty draft status and Walker’s likely exit in free agency.
If Morgan wins the left tackle job, he’ll climb several spots on this list. The guess here, though, is Walker keeps the job and Morgan is the Packers’ top backup at multiple spots.
They Said It …
“Sometimes it looks like he’s not straining or playing hard. I think it’s just natural, it’s easy for him to just move, to gain ground, to just skim the blades of the grass. It’s effortless. Really like where he’s headed and the direction he’s going. Love it.” — Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus on why he believes Morgan can play left tackle
“One thing about him is he has that elite athleticism. Guy moves well, he’s fast, he can redirect. I think now is just a good time to put him out there and see how he does and just watch him compete.” — Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich on Morgan
“It’s going to be a great competition. Him and Sheed are going to battle it out and hopefully push each other to be that much better.” — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on the looming left tackle battle between Morgan and Walker
