Former Packers first-round pick enters 2026 facing the kind of pressure that could define his future

Jordan Morgan lands on make-or-break list as he will finally become a full-time starting left tackle.

Wendell Ferreira NFL News Writer
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Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Jordan Morgan (77) rides a bike during the first day of training camp Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is the first of three consecutive public practices. The tradition of players riding children’s bikes to practice dates back to the era when Vince Lombardi was head coach.
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Jordan Morgan (77) rides a bike during the first day of training camp Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is the first of three consecutive public practices. The tradition of players riding children’s bikes to practice dates back to the era when Vince Lombardi was head coach. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Green Bay Packers left tackle Jordan Morgan enters the 2026 season with significant expectations, and his landing on PFF’s list of make-or-break players across the NFL confirms how much impact his performance will have.

The former first-round pick from the 2024 draft class is transitioning to full-time left tackle duties, and his performance will have a direct impact on how the Packers protect quarterback Jordan Love and sustain their offensive line.

PFF’s Bradley Locker highlighted Morgan’s 62.0 overall PFF grade from the 2025 season alongside a more encouraging 68.8 pass-blocking grade. Those numbers reflect a player still developing but flashing enough upside to earn the starting job at his preferred position.

The move from guard to tackle

Morgan started his NFL career primarily at guard, but the Packers always valued his versatility. Late in the 2025 season, he shifted to right tackle after Zach Tom went down with a knee injury. Morgan’s play improved at the position, and the results were noticeable.

The most telling audition came in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings. The game had no postseason implications for Green Bay, but Minnesota played with its starting defense. Morgan lined up at left tackle and performed well against legitimate competition. That game, combined with his late-season stretch at right tackle, confirmed what Morgan has said throughout his career: his goal is to play tackle in the NFL.

His performance motivated the Packers to give him the full-time opportunity. That’s why the front office allowed Rasheed Walker to leave in free agency rather than retaining a veteran presence at the position.

The stakes are high because Green Bay’s depth behind Morgan at left tackle is limited. If he cannot play at a reasonable level, the Packers would likely have to turn to Darian Kinnard at left tackle or consider moving Tom from right tackle to the left side and inserting Kinnard on the right. Either scenario represents a significant downgrade from the projected starting lineup.

The Packers have built what projects to be a viable offensive line for 2026, but that projection depends on Morgan holding down the blind side. A poor performance would create a cascading problem across the entire unit.

Pass blocking remains the key

The pass-blocking side of Morgan’s game is where the real evaluation will take place. His 68.8 pass-blocking grade from 2025 showed improvement, but it still needs to climb for the Packers to feel confident in their decision to hand him the starting left tackle role.

The Packers drafted Morgan in the first round because they believed he had the tools to protect their franchise quarterback. This season will reveal whether that investment pays off. If Morgan performs at the level the front office envisioned on draft night, Green Bay’s offensive line will be in a comfortable position. If he doesn’t, the Packers face a problem without a clean solution on the current roster.