Zach Tom‘s four-year, $88MM extension affirmed the right tackle’s status as a cornerstone Packer, but a question about the team’s direction at left tackle remains. A position battle is ongoing.
Rasheed Walker will need to hold off 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan for the job, Brian Gutekunst said. The eighth-year Green Bay GM called this (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky) an open competition but pointed to Walker’s 32 starts as a reason he is the frontrunner for the gig.
On the surface, a former seventh-round pick competing with a priority add (via the 2024 first round) is odd. But Walker has proven to be a late-round find for Green Bay. Pro Football Focus graded the former No. 249 overall pick just outside the top 40 in each of the past two years, after he played in just one game as a 2022 rookie.
Walker’s rookie deal expires after the season, and with two big-ticket O-line payments (to Tom and Aaron Banks) made this year, a free agency path appears clear. Morgan also could be in line to take over at LT in 2026, provided he cannot unseat Walker in training camp. This would set up Walker, with a good contract year, to be one of the 2026 market’s top prizes. He started 15 regular-season games in 2023 and all 17 last season.
A decorated left tackle at Arizona, Morgan split time between left and right guard as a rookie. His injury-shortened season included 120 RG snaps and 65 on the left side, but the former No. 25 overall pick did not see too much action last season. Sean Rhyan operated as the Packers’ primary right guard; the former third-round pick is now in a contract year. Morgan working as a swingman in Year 2 would suggest something is off here, but it also could be possible he loses this competition but unseats Rhyan at RG.
The Morgan-at-right guard plan is technically on the Packers’ back burner, but Elgton Jenkins‘ back injury slid Rhyan to center and allowed Morgan reps at RG, per Channel3000.com’s Jason Wilde. Rhyan said (via Wilde) he believed he has solidified himself as a starting guard. In 543 snaps last season, PFF ranked him 46th among guard regulars. It would surprise if Morgan did not have another chance to crack the starting lineup, but Rhyan would stand in his way if the high-level investment cannot beat out Walker at LT.
Shifted from left guard to center this offseason, Jenkins does not appear in danger of missing regular-season time. Gutekunst hopes the Pro Bowler returns soon, though the team is dealing with a frustrated new snapper thanks to a contract issue.
Jenkins, who has played all over Green Bay’s line, expressed frustration with his deal now that Banks supplanted him as the Packers’ highest-paid blocker. Tom eclipsed both last week. Jenkins is on the Pack’s active/NFI list, meaning he sustained the injury away from the team facility. No guarantees remain on Jenkins’ four-year, $68MM extension — one that runs through the 2026 season.
Additionally, the Packers confirmed (via the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood) they are playing it safe with Christian Watson‘s ACL rehab. Not expected back until around midseason, the contract-year wide receiver will not go through a full practice during training camp. This makes him a clear candidate for the reserve/PUP list, which would bring at least a four-game absence. Gutekunst added (via Wood) Watson’s rehab has gone “great.”
I think Gutey overplayed his hand thinking Jenkins was gonna move to Center because that’s what his plan was. I would have rather seen the Packers sign the best FA Center and keep Jenkins at Guard and if you needed him to slide over to LT you do that.
Keep your day job
I’m retired, you keep working. You rip my comment but add nothing. They overpaid for Banks.
Agreed, wettle. That would make much more sense. Let Jenkins play his most natural position. Instead of doing that, they signed Banks (who did get a LOT of money…). They already had a great left guard, playing center. Why not sign a center instead, for what likely would be cheaper? Just because Jenkins is versatile? Let him play at his best spot, sign a center (or a right guard, if you must move Rhyan to center), and put your elite LG at LG. I’m not a Packer fan, so you probably are more in tune, but I don’t quite get it why this keeps happening.
Oberpaying someone on a short term, very little guaranteed money in the backend contract is the dumbest complaint someone could have for signing an above average player.
Maybe he’s complaining because the Packers already had someone who plays the position at an elite level, paid an average player to push him into yet another haphazard fit, and plan to discard him when the year is done? They could have probably a player at a position they actually needed-center-instead of at left guard, where Jenkins plays.
Kind of extreme to call THAT complaint the “dumbest” thing you’ve ever heard.
Jenkins isnt a natural lg anyway and they thought banks was better than any few agent center
You could be right about the latter, but Jenkins started at LG with the Packers. While playing there, he was an All Rookie selection and a Pro Bowler. So, even though he was a center in college, I feel comfortable terming LG as his most natural spot as a pro. I’m still of the mind that you keep your elite LG at LG, personally.
As far as money goes…Jenkins wants a contract adjustment because the Packers moved him to lesser paid position, only to sign a lesser player than he to play his old spot. He’d probably be fine with the move if they gave him a bump, since he’s about to reach free agency in a year at age 30 at a lower paid position (center) than he was playing prior (guard). I get that Green Bay doesn’t often do contract adjustments with multiple years left, but they change a guy’s position (especially as often as they’ve done with Jenkins), they should be open to it. There’s some part in here where he’s bailing them out again.
Jenkins isnt about to reach free agency, he has 2 years left. Hes mad about lack of guarantees left. But the whole “hes mad” seems like reporter drama as he was just activated today and ramping up to practice without a new deal.
If they keep him, sure, but that’s the thing about the lack of guarantees-no major consequence if they decide not to. That’s one reason in all likelihood that Jenkins wanted a new deal, which he did say that he did. You have to admit that he does have an argument, given how he’s been moved to every which position on the line in a pinch.
I never said that Jenkins was mad, by the way-I just said that he wanted a new deal, which he did say.
The plan was clearly to get better at OC by letting Myers go and having Jenkins there. Then letting Jenkins go next year at 31 ans replacing him with Monk or a draft pick.
Rhyan and Morgan will both be gone too I’d bet. That leaves the line in 26 being: Morgan/Banks/Monk/Belton/Tom. Banks and Tom being the ones on 2nd contracts. Jenkins is not going to get paid again. Perhaps a small tweak to eliminate his “bad back.”
Gute has been effectively telling everyone he’s getting younger and cheaper on the OL since he drafted Morgan in Round 1 and Monk in round 5 last year and continued down that path with Belton this year.
Moderator, please close the comments for this topic. The all knowing Bearmeat has graced us with his opinion. No other opinions shall be deemed worthy enough to be posted or discussed….at least in Bearmeat’s mind that is.
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