Packers offensive lineman Rasheed Walker said on Monday (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky) that he will start at left tackle in Week 1.
In training camp, Walker battled 2024 first-rounder Jordan Morgan for the right to protect Jordan Love‘s blind side this season. Walker, a two-year incumbent, long seemed to have a lead over his younger teammate, who only played guard in his six appearances before shoulder surgery ended his season.
Walker, a 2022 seventh-round pick, took over for an injured David Bakhtiari in his second season and held onto the left tackle job through 2024. However, the Packers’ selection of Morgan – a standout left tackle at the University of Arizona – indicated that Walker may not be Green Bay’s long-term solution on the blind side.
Walker will retain his job heading into the final year of his rookie contract, but an extension does not seem like a certainty. The Packers spent significant money on left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Zach Tom this year and may not want to foray into an ever-growing left tackle market. They also added two left tackle prospects in Morgan and Anthony Belton across the last two drafts.
However, with neither of the younger tackles emerging as a more capable starter this summer, Walker will retain his job with the hopes of playing his way into a massive raise, either from the Packers or another team.
What becomes of Jordan Morgan then?
Both seemed capable as starters, so he’ll start the season as a super sub since he knows four spots on the o-line. There’s a chance Banks isn’t good to go for week 1 too.
Rasheed is a free agent after this year. He’ll likely be gone. Morgan will still have 3 more years after this season on his contract likely meaning he’s the starter moving forward. Green Bay always plans ahead. They did the same with Marco Rivera years ago. Sat 2 years then was the starter for damn near 8 years. Packer way. Likely many other examples