Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the media Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in West Palm Beach, Florida. One issue LaFleur addressed involves the future of Jordan Morgan, the team’s 2024 first-round pick. What LaFleur said indicates there could be even more changes coming to the offensive line after the signing of Aaron Banks to play left guard. The battle for the Packers left tackle spot will have long-term implications for the team and several players.

The Battle for the Packers Left Tackle Spot: What LaFleur Said

LaFleur told reporters that Morgan will compete with incumbent Rasheed Walker for the starting left tackle job.

“It’s something we feel like he can do,” LaFleur explained. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t do it, so we’ll let them battle it out and see where it goes…It’s going to be a great competition. Him [Morgan] and Sheed [Walker] are going to battle it out and hopefully push each other to be that much better.”

The Packers will also have Morgan battling with Sean Rhyan at right guard. The hope is that the former Arizona star will be one of the team’s top five offensive linemen and therefore win a starting job somewhere on the offensive line.

A Lost Rookie Season

Morgan played left tackle in college. He indicated initially that he wanted to continue to play that position in the NFL. Scouts felt his lack of ideal arm length made him a better fit at guard as a pro.

Morgan worked at both tackle and guard during OTAs. But, by the time the Packers opened training camp in July, however, the Packers moved their top draft choice to right guard, saying that would be his best chance to start as a rookie. Rhyan ended up winning the job, but Morgan was rotated into the game for several series per game early in the season.

Unfortunately, injuries ended his rookie season early. He played in only six games and started one. The start came when center Josh Myers was sidelined and Elgton Jenkins moved to center. Morgan started at guard.

Pro Football Focus graded him as a better as a pass blocker than run blocker, but he was in the average range in both areas.

The Battle for the Packers Left Tackle Spot: The Incumbent

Walker faces a different challenge as he seeks to hold on to the starting left tackle job. He has come a long way since being drafted in the seventh round in 2022 out of Penn State. Walker made the team but barely played as a rookie. But, in his second season, he became the starting left tackle when David Bakhtiari was shut down for the season after Week 1. He’s been protecting the blind side of Jordan Love ever since. Walker established himself as a solid starting left tackle.

However, 2025 will be the final year of Walker’s entry-level contract. With right tackle Zach Tom and Rhyan also in the final year of their contracts, GM Brian Gutekunst has some major decisions to make. It is unlikely the Packers will be able to afford all three of these offensive linemen in 2026.

If Walker or Rhyan lose their starting jobs to Morgan, they are much less likely to earn a new deal with the Packers. Walker, for example, would not be willing to accept a new contract and be paid as a swing tackle when he is good enough to start elsewhere and get paid accordingly if he becomes a free agent.

The Future for Jordan Morgan

This will be a critical season for Morgan. LaFleur has often said he wants his best five offensive linemen on the field. It’s one reason he and Gutekunst prefer offensive linemen who can play multiple positions like Tom and Jenkins. Now it’s up to Morgan to prove he is one of those five.

For Morgan, whether he wins the job as a tackle or guard will influence what position he will play for the next part of his NFL career. Walker and Rhyan need to win a starting job because it will impact whether they get a second contract with the Packers or hit the open market next offseason.

For the Packers, they need a quality offensive line to open holes for Josh Jacobs and protect the quarterback. Simply put, there is a lot riding on this position battle this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

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