As the packers/335" target="_blank">Packers offensive line looks to improve its overall performance in 2026, there are multiple protagonists whom Green Bay will be relying upon to lead the way.
High level offensive line play had been a pillar of the Packers’ success for well over a decade, but 2025 was a disappointment, with injuries causing chaos throughout the year, and young players looking to find their feet amid the constant moving parts.
Among those inexperienced players was Jordan Morgan, a college left tackle for three years at Arizona, who mostly filled in at guard in his first two seasons in the NFL, before finally playing tackle late last season, and acquitting himself well.
After Rasheed Walker left in free agency, Morgan is now set to take over and protect Jordan Love’s blind side, as always appeared to be the plan when he was drafted in 2024.
While fans will cross their fingers and hope Morgan is up to it, the Packers have much more information to give them confidence, and after having two years to acclimate to the league, there are no excuses for him not to be ready, even if most of his NFL snaps have been at guard.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, head coach Matt LaFleur discussed Morgan’s process of reacclimating to playing left tackle ahead of a crucial season
LaFleur said: “He’s done an outstanding job. These guys aren’t in pads, so you can’t get the full effect of exactly how they’re going to be, but we’re really pleased with what we’ve seen thus far.”
Similarly, Love had plenty of praise for Morgan, who he will be relying on to keep him upright this season, saying: “Since we’ve got back, he’s looked good. He’s put in the work throughout the offseason, working out, getting that strength right.
“It’ll be great to get him settled in at left tackle, we know he’s bounced around. For him to be able to settle in and get all these reps throughout the offseason and going into training camp at tackle, it’ll be great for him. I’m excited for him.”
Another player to make the most of his opportunity to play a different position late in the year was Sean Rhyan, who took over at center after Elgton Jenkins went down with injury, having previously done most of his work at guard.
Rhyan impressed the Packers coaches and front office in his new role, to the extent that they rewarded him with a 3-year, $33 million contract this spring to stay in Green Bay as the team’s center long-term.
It represented a significant turnaround for Rhyan, who had consistently rotated in and out of the lineup at guard in previous seasons, with the Packers always seemingly wanting to replace him.
He told reporters on Wednesday that he was brought to tears after signing the contract, as he thought about “what a huge accomplishment that was”. Rhyan said the contract gave him reassurance and that he was “(expletive) grateful.”
The relationship between a quarterback and center is crucial and Love was happy to learn Rhyan would be sticking around in 2027 and beyond.
He explained: “A guy who’s snapping you the ball every play, you wanna have that relationship, you wanna build something with a guy, so to be able to get Sean back was huge, I was excited to hear that news.
“Knowing you have a guy that you’ve built chemistry with, understand each other, the communication, all those things are on point. I think he did a phenomenal job last year stepping into that role, something he hadn’t really done as much.”
With a longer runway this season to settle into the position, rather than being thrown into the deep end, the Packers will be hopeful their bet on Rhyan pays off and he can provide an upgrade over what Jenkins and previously Josh Myers gave them at the pivot.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: LaFleur, Love excited about Jordan Morgan ahead of crucial year
