A seismic shift is brewing along the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line, with a dramatic internal solution emerging at the game’s most critical position. Following the arrest and impending free agency of starter Rasheed Walker, the franchise appears poised to hand the left tackle reins to 2025 first-round pick Jordan Morgan, signaling a bold long-term plan for 2026 and beyond.
The move represents a significant course correction for the young lineman. Drafted as a tackle out of Arizona, Morgan spent the majority of his rookie season shuffled between guard positions in an effort to get him on the field. Advanced analytics, however, reveal a stark contrast in his performance when finally stationed at his natural tackle spot in the season’s final weeks.
According to Pro Football Focus data, Morgan’s grades skyrocketed when playing tackle, with two of his four outings at the position yielding strong scores of 79.7 and 77.1. His overall pass-blocking grade of 68.8 already compares favorably to Walker’s 69.3 from last season. This tangible on-field evidence has solidified a growing belief within the organization and among analysts.
“Stop messing with Jordan Morgan. Let him play the position that he played his entire life,” analyst Rob Demovsky recently stated, a sentiment now gaining powerful traction. The data suggests a player clearly more comfortable on the edge, particularly on the left side, where he took nearly every snap in college and high school.
This strategic pivot carries enormous financial and competitive implications. Walker, despite his recent legal entanglement at LaGuardia Airport involving a firearm, was projected to command a market-value contract averaging $20 million annually. Committing to Morgan, still on his cost-controlled rookie deal, would free massive capital for General Manager Brian Gutekunst to address other glaring roster needs.
The potential savings extend further. Moving on from veterans like guard Aaron Banks and tackle Elgton Jenkins could liberate an additional $38 million in cap space. This financial flexibility would allow Green Bay to be aggressive in free agency, potentially targeting a premier center like Lloyd Cushenberry, while also drafting for depth and competition along the offensive line.
Internal discussions, as reported on the “Packers Fan Total Access” show, indicate a strong consensus. “I would feel comfortable as coach… Jordan Morgan at left tackle,” one host stated, emphasizing the plan is to let Morgan settle into the role for the 2026 campaign. The experiment at guard is now widely viewed as a necessary baptism by fire to acclimate him to NFL speed, not a permanent reassignment.
This decision does not preclude the Packers from adding talent. The team is expected to remain active in the draft, potentially selecting a tackle if a high-value prospect falls. However, the organizational confidence in Morgan is palpable. The goal is to establish continuity and allow their first-round investment to flourish in a defined role, building a young, athletic front to protect quarterback Jordan Love.
The fallout from Walker’s situation remains fluid, with opinions divided on how much his arrest will impact his free-agent value. Regardless, it has accelerated Green Bay’s timeline and clarified their vision. The message is clear: after a year of musical chairs and trench struggles, stability is the priority, and Jordan Morgan is the projected cornerstone at left tackle.
Fan reaction is now keenly awaited, as the Packers embark on an offseason dedicated to fortifying their offensive front. The success of this bold gamble will hinge on Morgan’s ability to translate his late-season flashes into consistent, high-level play, justifying the franchise’s faith and solidifying the blindside for the foreseeable future.
