The Green Bay Packers open the 2024 NFL season Friday night against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While training camp and the preseason determined the starting players at nearly every position on the team, the Packers will open the season with this position still unsettled. There are still two players at this position who are likely to split time early in the year.
Packers Will Open the season with This Position Still Unsettled: The Leadup
Last season, the Packers had veteran Jon Runyan, Jr. starting at right guard. The former Michigan star started as a sixth-round pick and ended up as a three-year starter at guard. Runyan was a strong pass blocker but struggled to consistently open holes for the running game.
Last year, Runyan started all 17 games at right guard, but played through injuries. As a result, backup guard Sean Rhyan alternated with Runyan by series during the second half of the season. Rhyan proved to be a decent run blocker but struggled in pass protection.
At the end of the season, Runyan’s contract expired. He signed as a free agent with the New York Giants.
The Packers then selected offensive lineman Jordan Morgan in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. Morgan played left tackle in college, but most scouts projected him as a guard in the NFL because of his short arm length.
The Training Camp Battle
While Morgan played various positions along the line at OTAs, he moved to right guard once training camp got under way. Morgan was therefore in direct competition with Rhyan for the starting right guard spot. Rhyan also saw some reps at center with the second team as the Packers coaching staff likes to cross train their offensive linemen.
Head coach Matt Lafleur saw Morgan making progress in camp when he could participate but admitted he has more work to do. “He’s done a really nice job. Every day, he’s learning something new. He’s taking his lumps along the way, as to be expected,” LaFleur told reporters in August. “He has everything you look for in a guy who can play in this league for a really long time. The athleticism. He just has to learn how to compete down in and down out against really good competition.”
Unfortunately, Morgan dealt with injuries throughout training camp. The biggest issue was a shoulder injury that cost him valuable practice reps and the ability to play in preseason games.
When the team published their initial depth chart, Morgan was the starting right guard. However, the injuries he suffered prevented him from holding that position in time for the start of the season. Rhyan was listed as the starter, but the Packers coaching staff indicated nothing had been established at the position.
Packers Will Open the season with This Position Still Unsettled: Where We Stand Now
While Rhyan is expected to start the season opener in Brazil, the coaching staff stated that just like last season, two players would likely split time at right guard, probably by series.
When asked about Rhyan, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich told reporters the former UCLA star, “Has done a great job. Given that opportunity, he’s stepped up and shown he can be our guy if we need him to be.”
Meanwhile, Stenavich was very aware of the potential Morgan possesses. It’s clear the coaching staff wants Morgan in the lineup as soon as he’s ready. “Jordan’s coming along in practice and stuff, so we’re just kind of taking that situation day to day and seeing what happens there,” Stenavich added.
The Packers coaching staff always promotes competition, saying “iron sharpens iron,” meaning that competition makes both players better. Both Rhyan and Morgan will have to be at their best if they hope to increase their playing time.
Most importantly, both players must step up and do a good job of protecting quarterback Jordan Love and opening holes for Josh Jacobs and the running game. Over the long run, the better player will lock down the starting job.
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