Packers offensive line battles come into focus with competition heating up across the unit
Green Bay has invested a lot in the unit
The Green Bay Packers tend to invest significant resources in the offensive line. It’s a general philosophy, but also an understanding of how better quarterback Jordan Love is when well protected. This year alone, the Packers made their biggest free agent signing (left guard Aaron Banks) and spent a second-round pick (tackle Anthony Belton) to deepen the unit’s depth.
There are battles going on across the room, including the most impactful one at left tackle between incumbent Rasheed Walker and last year’s first-round pick Jordan Morgan.
Let’s review, position by position, how the Packers offensive line is shaking out.
Left tackle
This is not coach speak. The battle between Walker and Morgan is real, and the former first-rounder has shown he has the potential to win it with two strong preseason performances.
“It’s 100% a competition,” head coach Matt LaFleur said on Sunday. “I think Jordan’s put a lot of good stuff on tape.”
Ahead of the preseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst had said that Walker had a leg up in the battle due to his two years of starting experience at the position. However, it would be great for the Packers if Morgan could beat him out—after all, Walker has an expiring contract, and Morgan is the big investment under contract through 2027, with a team option for 2028.
Walker handled an injury throughout training camp, and that opened up the possibility for Morgan to play—he had spent more time at right guard. After a rough Family Night performance, Morgan played at a high level against both the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts, not giving up a single pressure in any game. If Walker still beats Morgan out, the younger player could move inside to guard once again and compete with Sean Rhyan.
Left guard
The Packers gave Aaron Banks a four-year, $77 million deal in free agency, so it’s obvious that the former San Francisco 49er will start. He played 12 snaps against the Jets, with some positives in the run game and negatives in pass block—which is a good summarization of his NFL career.
The backup left guard is Donovan Jennings, who had a rough performance versus the Colts. Ultimately, though, the Packers will probably prioritize moving backup tackles to guard if needed in the regular season.
Center
Elgton Jenkins is the starting center, and the Packers trust him to do it. Behind Jenkins, though, there isn’t a clear answer. The most likely alternative is Sean Rhyan, who’s taken 49 snaps at center in the preseason—more than he has at his primary position of right guard.
Rhyan is a guard with the ones, but has practiced at center with the second unit to make sure he will be ready if needed. Against the Colts, Rhyan played exclusively at center and performed relatively fine, giving up one pressure on 15 pass-block situations. Jacob Monk, who’s primarily a center, has had a tough time in the preseason and is not a lock to make the team anymore—against the Colts, he started at right guard.
Right guard
This is probably the weakest-link of the Packers’ starting offensive line, even though Green Bay still sees Sean Rhyan as an ascending player. But Rhyan may receive additional competition over the next few weeks if the Packers decide to cross-train tackles Jordan Morgan (once again) and Anthony Belton (for the first time). Rhyan is entering contract year as well, so building a long-term plan at the position should be a consideration.
Right tackle
Zach Tom signed a four-year, $88 million extension to be the right tackle of the present and future in Green Bay. He’s probably the most talented piece of the offensive line, and a piece with real potential to be a blue-chip player. It wouldn’t be absurd to think he can be a left tackle in the future, but the Packers are comfortable keeping him on the right side.
Throughout training camp, second-round rookie Anthony Belton has been the backup right tackle. He played well against the Jets, but had a rough performance with five penalties against the Colts. Still, the rookie has shown capabilities to be a swing tackle right now—and a potential starter at tackle or guard in the future.
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