Countdown to camp: Jordan Morgan takes over Packers' blind side

Packers
23 Jul 2026, 19:30 GMT+10

Former first-round pick is key part of Green Bays new-look offensive line

Wes Hodkiewicz

"Countdown to camp" is a position-by-position overview of the Packers' roster heading into training camp. The series continues with the offensive line.

GREEN BAYJordan Morgan's wait is over.

After two years playing all across the Packers' offensive line, the 2024 first-round pick is back home at left tackle the position at which Morgan started 37 games for the University of Arizona.

He pushed incumbent Rasheed Walker for the starting post last summer, but Green Bay opted for familiarity at left tackle while Morgan made 13 starts (including playoffs) at both guard and tackle.

Following Walker's departure in free agency, Morgan is finally poisedto do what most believe he does bestblock on the blind side, which the 6-foot-5, 311-pound offensive lineman did throughout OTAs and minicamp.

Development and improvement from within was a main theme for Green Bay's O-line this offseason, highlighted by the team parting ways with two-time Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins in March.

Jenkins started nine games at center last year before fracturing his ankle against Philadelphia in November. His replacement,Sean Rhyan, filled in admirably the rest of the way and earned a new contract with the Packers days before free agency opened.

The former third-round pick spent his first 3 years looking for a home up front, rotating at both guard spotsbefore finding his comfort zone at center.

Rhyan's return checked a major box for a Green Bay offensive line that seeks more consistency in 2026. Having a solidified starting five should help, withAaron Banksentrenched at left guard, 2025 second-round pickAnthony Beltonsettling in at right guard andZach Tomholding down right tackle.

Tom missed the offseason program while recovering from surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon that ended his 2025 campaign in mid-December in Denver. The team is hopeful Tom will be cleared for the start of training camp or shortly thereafter.

Banks battled his share of injuries last year, including an early-season groin injury that caused him to miss two starts. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound guard rounded into form down the stretch, though, and believes his best is yet to come at 28 years old.

A starting left tackle at NC State, Belton never played guard until midway through his rookie season in Green Bay. The 6-foot-6, 337-pound offensive lineman spent his summer shadowing Tom at right tackle before a rash of injuries led to Belton making eight starts (including playoffs) at right guard.

The Packers felt good enough about what they saw from Belton to press on without any major reinforcements this offseason. In fact, Green Bay made just one addition to the O-line room: rookie fifth-round pickJager Burton.

A four-year starter at Kentucky, Burton quickly got up to speed with the Packers' playbook this spring. With Green Bay battling injuries on the O-line, Burton saw first-team reps at both guard spots during OTAs and minicamp.

Burton is part of a wide-open competition for that coveted "next man up" spot on the O-line, along with fourth-year veteranDarian Kinnard, who re-signed with Green Bay and stood in for Tom at right tackle this offseason.

Kinnard, acquired from Philadelphia prior to the 2025 season, made four spot starts and served as the sixth offensive lineman in heavy personnel packages.

The rest is all to play for up front, as the Packers return four veteran reserves whose 2025 seasons were impacted by injuries to varying degrees.

Former fifth-round pickJacob Monkspent half the year on injured reserve with a hamstring injury before impressing the Packers' brass with his first NFL start at center in the regular-season finale against Minnesota.

Former sixth-round pickTravis Gloverappeared in line for a role last summer before tearing his torn latissimus dorsi muscle in training camp and spending his second NFL season on IR.

After spending his rookie season the practice squad,Donovan Jenningsmade the initial 53-man roster in 2052 and was in line to make his first NFL start against the Vikings in Week 18. However, a throat injury suffered in practice ended his season.

The Packers also look to learn more about 2025 seventh-round pickJohn Williams, who spent his rookie season on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing back surgery. The 6-foot-4, 322-pound guard returned to practice near the end of last season and was a full participant in offseason activities.

Green Bay retained three players from its practice squad (Brant Banks,Dalton CooperandKarsen Barnhart) and signed three college free agents: Illinois'Josh Gesky, Iowa State'sDylan Barrettand Auburn'sDillon Wade.

Banks spent all but one week of his rookie year with the Packers. Tennessee claimed the former Rice offensive tackle off waivers Oct. 1 before cutting him a week later. Banks returned to Green Bay's practice squad two days after that.

The 6-foot-5, 308-pound Gesky was a three-year starter at Illinois while Wade split a six-year college career between Tulsa and Auburn, starting 36 games at three spots over his final three seasons.