The Packers Are Setting Jordan Morgan Up To Be Their Future At Left Tackle
Signing Aaron Banks signals Green Bay’s plan to keep Zach Tom and transition Jordan Morgan to left tackle.
I was scrolling through the CheeseheadTV website when I came across Gil Martin's Saturday piece debating where Jordan Morgan would best fit in the Packers' 2025 offensive line.
Gill mentioned that there are two clear paths for Jordan Morgan in 2025, and I don't disagree with him. Morgan could compete with Sean Rhyan for the right guard job or challenge Rasheed Walker for the left tackle spot while also serving as a potential swing tackle.
By training camp, we should start to see how Adam Stenavich plans to continue developing Morgan. While there are still some question marks about whether he’ll line up inside or outside in 2025, Green Bay’s moves in free agency offer more answers than questions about his future beyond this year.
On Monday, the Packers and former San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks agreed to a four-year, $77 million deal. He’s expected to start at guard, though that could hinge on whether Elgton Jenkins moves to center. With Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker entering the final year of their rookie deals, the Packers are likely to face tough decisions about re-signing both players long-term.
Ken Ingalls, a Packers salary cap specialist, recently put together a preview of Green Bay’s 2026 cap situation. According to his breakdown, the team already has more money committed to just 29 players in 2026 than it does to 70 players this year—and that’s before factoring in the draft. That figure also doesn’t include the team’s 10 pending unrestricted free agents, all of whom are either starters or key contributors, along with other potential restricted free agents.
Green Bay will have some tough calls ahead, especially regarding both offensive tackles. While Rasheed Walker has done a good job protecting Jordan Love’s blindside, it’s hard to imagine the Packers letting Zach Tom go. Tom has played all five positions on the offensive line and finished third in All-Pro voting for right tackle. He’ll likely reset the market for RTs, and the Packers will probably prioritize locking him up.
Bringing in Banks ensures the Packers have at least two veteran options capable of playing guard, which could allow Jordan Morgan to slide outside and potentially start at left tackle if Walker walks next year. While it’s ideal for Green Bay to retain both starting tackles long-term, Brian Gutekunst has already noted that he’d like to keep Quay Walker for the long haul. Additionally, if Tucker Kraft continues to play at a high level in 2025, he’ll likely become a candidate for an early extension as well. The point is that while losing Walker wouldn’t be ideal, transitioning to a cost-effective rookie—who was a significant investment—provides better flexibility and helps avoid financial strain elsewhere.
There are currently 10 left tackles earning at least $20 million per year, and another strong season from Rasheed Walker will likely put him on track to join that list. Tristan Wirfs is the highest-paid right tackle, with an average of over $28 million per year. While Zach Tom already has a strong case for securing a massive contract, another All-Pro-level season would only increase his price, which is already expected to be quite high.
Jordan Love's cap hit will jump to $36.2 million in 2025 and $44 million in 2026, meaning keeping a competitive roster around him will require some tough financial decisions in every phase of the roster. When you consider that Green Bay’s original plan for Morgan was to start his career at left tackle, it makes sense for them to revisit that option—even though it would be tough to see Rasheed Walker walk. Given the financial constraints ahead, going back to their original plan for Morgan could be the most practical move. Morgan played 186 snaps in 2024, with 185 of them at guard and the other one as an inline tight end, so we still need to see how he develops as a tackle at the professional level.
There’s growing confidence in Jordan Morgan from both the Packers and the media. Pro Football Focus identified him as an early breakout candidate for the Packers in 2025.
Starting center Josh Myers will be a free agent in March, and right guard Sean Rhyan was only solid this past year (61.3-overall PFF grade). The Packers took Morgan in the first round — and moved him to guard — for a reason, even if he played just 186 snaps in 2024. The former Arizona product allowed only three sacks and 30 pressures during his final two collegiate seasons. Expect Morgan’s pedigree to be unleashed in full this upcoming year at either guard slot, with the versatile Jenkins potentially moving positions.
The Packers' coaching staff has also shown confidence in Jordan Morgan’s future.
"I saw a lot of good stuff from him," Adam Stenaivch said in December. "I’m very encouraged for the future. Whenever he gets healthy, we’ll get him back out there and just keep working with him, but I’m very excited about Jordan."
Every move comes with its risks and rewards. If the Packers let Rasheed Walker test the market and move forward with Jordan Morgan at tackle, Morgan could become Jordan Love’s reliable blindside protector for the next decade. But there’s also the risk that Morgan doesn’t work out on the outside, while Walker could sign a big deal elsewhere and continue to play well. That’s how life works in the NFL, and it’s a risk that Gutekunst will carefully calculate if the team indeed decides to move forward with Morgan as their blindside protector.
Personally, I think the Aaron Banks deal is a strong indicator that the Packers have made their choice regarding whether to pay Zach Tom or Rasheed Walker. While I don’t have any inside sources, I can’t see Green Bay straying from their plan for Jordan Morgan just two seasons into his tenure. 2025 could very well be the last year for Rasheed Walker as the franchise’s left tackle, with Morgan likely stepping in for 2026. That would leave Banks and Elgton Jenkins as guards (or Jenkins as center), with possibly Sean Rhyan (who will also be an unrestricted free agent in 2026) at guard, or someone else they bring in via free agency or the draft. It feels like the Packers are already shaping their long-term plan, with Morgan seeming to be a key part of it.
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Felipe is a Brazilian Packers writer covering the #GoPackGo for CheeseheadTV, Zone Coverage, and Packers Talk. Additionally, he contributes to Cheeseheads Brazil. Follow him on twitter at @Aceti_Felipe.
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Comments (23)
KenEllis
March 17, 2025 at 10:18 am
Let's hope and pray that Morgan is the LT of the future.
You don't use a 1st round pick on a RG and while R. Walker has been a nice story for a 7th round pick, he is not close to elite.
Bitternotsour
March 17, 2025 at 10:21 am
Contractually, Walker may be the odd man out but the one thing we know for certain is you can't have enough quality linemen. Walker has performed admirably for a 7th round draft choice. He's going to get PAID somewhere.
Leatherhead
March 17, 2025 at 11:58 am
And he'll probably get us a comp pick when he leaves in FA...probably higher than the 7th rounder we used to get him.
When they drafted Morgan, it seemed to me that they would try to resign Tom and let Walker leave, and that Morgan would be his replacement. I think the 2026 line could feature Tom, Jenkins, Morgan and Banks, and we'd lose Rhyan and Walker. That would make Glover and Monk our #5 and #6 guys,
That's an argument for getting some talent now, IMO.
Alberta_Packer
March 17, 2025 at 04:13 pm
Based on the potential salary of a starting FA LT - i.e., 20M+ - guessing a 3rd/4th round comp. pick.
dobber
March 17, 2025 at 07:26 pm
Will have everything to do with any outside FAs the Packers sign, too.
gsd3
March 18, 2025 at 05:41 am
Not every player on a given roster can be elite. Walker is average plus and should get better. Before he is allowed to walk or is traded, they better KNOW that Morgan or someone else can at least play as well as Walker
jannesbjornson
March 18, 2025 at 08:02 am
No doubt. They set him up to play guard.
Coldworld
March 17, 2025 at 10:33 am
I find this at best speculative. Firstly Walker is a very good pass protector and seemingly improving in the run game while still young. You don’t move on from him unless you have better or are sure he’s peaked. LT is a premium position. Secondly, if we did move on, there’s the possibility that our best T moves left, as is the norm with a right handed QB.
More likely we signed a better lineman in FA not to allow Morgan to be handed LT, but to allow us to upgrade at C immediately. I expect Morgan to get a shot at competing with both Walker and Rhyan, but Walker is a higher bar at this point. Rhyan too is entering the last year of his contract like Walker. There a place for Morgan but he’s going to have to earn it and I think that is the plan not the one you suggest. Options knowing contract realities are coming in to play.
One of those options is RT if Walker were to plateau or be deemed too expensive after this year. In the event of Walker getting injured, that might be the plan now. That might be something that all that time at RG may help with going forward. Tom is going to be paid as a an elite T already, even though he had been on the right here.
SJPack
March 17, 2025 at 01:11 pm
Play Morgan this year at LT and trade Walker now, for serious(2nd or 3rd) draft capital in the upcoming draft. Draft their next flex OL. The youngest team in the NFL is about to get very expensive with too many mouths to fill. Time to get value, now, on the cheap from Morgan's high pick and turn the 7th from Walker into a much higher pick. Banks is getting $19M now, Walker will be looking for 20M++ as he should. Time to reload OL with 2 quality low contract picks, the one we all have had in mind at the beginning of the new season and one from a Walker trade.
dobber
March 17, 2025 at 01:37 pm
That's the fallout of being young and developing players--you've got hard decisions to make later on. The 2026 cap is tight and--as has been mentioned--there are going to be some cuts and/or trades, and some visits to the Jordan Love bank and other renegotiations to make it all work.
Why are the Bears and Vikings regularly buying players on the open market? Because they trade away draft capital and don't develop enough players of their own. I'd assert that gets you by for awhile, but it's not sustainable.
As for Walker, I suggested last week that he could (with one cheap year left before he needs to be re-upped for big money) be trade bait, but do we really know what he'd bring? That thin OL gets even more ridiculously thin--and the projection of Morgan to NFL T is still just that: a projection. They'd need to be really sure that Morgan is healthy and ready to play...AND, as you said, they'd be looking at more serious capital for the OL in the draft. I'd argue it could be 3 picks over the entirety of the draft, in that case.
Guam
March 17, 2025 at 03:38 pm
It is certainly probable that Walker won't be resigned by the Packers, but there is another path. The Packers are reportedly over the 2026 cap by $27.4MM which includes Alexander ($27.4MM cap and $19.5MM cash); Kenny Clark ($31.4 MM cap and $21.5MM cash) and Elgton Jenkins ($24.8MM cap and $20.0MM cash).
I think it is highly unlikely Alexander is with the Packers in 2026. Kenny Clark significantly underperformed his contract in 2024 and if he does so again in 2025 he will be a likely cap casualty for 2026. Clark will also be 30 during the 2025 season. Jenkins has had some injury history recently and will be 30 during the 2025 season.
The Packers could cut all three and save $61.0MM in cap space for 2026. That may create enough room to consider resigning Walker if he continues to ascend (and improves his run blocking). The Packers would be swapping aging and potentially declining players for a younger, ascending player. That sounds like a possible Gute move.
mnbadger
March 17, 2025 at 04:03 pm
Great take Guam.
GPG!
Coldworld
March 17, 2025 at 04:42 pm
Very much so. It’s possible a move to C results in Jenkins being extended, but it could just be another year to get Monk or someone else ready. I think we are going to have to look very carefully at Clark and Jaire (if retained this year) after this year and perhaps one or two others unless they have a much bigger impact concomitant with their cap hit.
Racingdad
March 17, 2025 at 06:43 pm
Gaum - great ideas I see most of them if not all three gone next yr ( age and cap) that’s why I’m hoping for Jarod Wilson - center - gb would probably need to draft him in second as he’s around 70 on cons. Big board but could learn this season than take over next season best center in this draft than we can keep one of Sheed or Ryan it’s a high pick to spend but might be great long term play. Just an idea ? If the long term plan is Morgan at LT maybe try to get a second now for Sheed ? Or not
Guam
March 18, 2025 at 09:27 am
The Packers only have six good O-linemen now. If you trade Walker you are down to five good ones. You usually need seven to survive a season. I wouldn't trade given this is a team with SB aspirations.
stockholder
March 17, 2025 at 11:29 am
I see nothing but persuasive thinking.
The packers knew they had something in Jenkins.
And they paid him when he earned All-pro status
They tried to tell us Myers was the next.
He wasn't.
They told us Walker was over-achieving.
And drafted Morgan.
Saying he could play anywhere.
They never wanted to move Tom, after so many
failed after Buluga. Even Jenkins.
So now we are to give away experienced LT.
Just so a #1 choice can make Gute Look good?
What the Hell is going on.
Since when; is this a "Look good on paper team."
GregC
March 17, 2025 at 12:38 pm
The scenario outlined in this article sounds about right. With Aaron Banks coming in, Jordan Morgan gets bumped down to #4 in the pecking order for the three interior O-line positions. He could compete with Sean Rhyan for the starting RG spot in training camp, but he probably wouldn't be much of an upgrade even if he won the job. His value to the team should be greater as a swing tackle this season who can move into the starting lineup in 2026 if Rasheed Walker leaves.
One thing that could change the equation is if the coaching staff decides that Morgan is not NFL tackle material. Then he would just be part of the mix at guard, like he was last year. I don't think they would give up on him at tackle that easily, though.
Coldworld
March 18, 2025 at 10:13 am
If they were dead set on him being a future tackle, then the best I can say is that last year was largely wasted using Dillard there and keeping him battling for guard. I think they signed him to be a versatile starter and that it’s not yet determined whether he is a starting T. It’s clear from contemporary statements and later ones that they felt G was the pressing need when they drafted him but that his versatility gave them future options, but not necessarily as the preferred starter elsewhere.
PackfanNY
March 17, 2025 at 03:18 pm
Great. I think we got that feeling when we drafted him in the First Round. Now we need to keep him healthy and on the field. The best ability is availability.
TKWorldWide
March 17, 2025 at 06:38 pm
Yes.
And the second most important is blockability.
(Not really a word.)
PackerBackerAZ
March 17, 2025 at 04:30 pm
Considering that Morgan hasn't played one snap at left tackle, why does anyone believe he will be an upgrade over Walker? I want him to be a good/great left tackle but, until he gets to play the position, nobody knows. Given the stats for Banks, I sure don't see a player worth 21 mil guaranteed. I can actually see him being an abysmal failure.
Better questions are: how the heck did Ball and Murphy put the Packers in such a bad financial state for 2026? 29 players costing more than 70 this year? How will they ever field a team that can compete in the NFC North? The Packers just got out of cap hell and now it seems they're already back in it. Murphy is gone in July, but what a trainwreck he's leaving behind.
iamiz
March 18, 2025 at 05:33 am
I think Walker is vastly underrated. He beat Morgan last year for the LT spot, and likely will again this year. That tells me he’s better than Morgan. Heck, we don’t even know if Morgan can play LT in the NFL. Can’t mess around with that position. If Walker continues his solid play I say re-sign him AND Toms.
harleycops
March 18, 2025 at 10:23 am
I think the Morgan 1st rd draft was a mistake. We have seen nothing to suggest he will be an adequate Bakhtiari replacement. He has to get and stay healthy enough to show us something. I hope he comes through and the Packers think he will. But if he's not in the starting lineup this fall, then we wasted that pick. I suppose he can always come off the bench in case of injury, but that's not the reason we drafted him that high.