It's a little early to call it a breakout, but Jordan Morgan is beginning to show promising signs. In the Green Bay Packers' regular-season finale on Sunday, he gets a golden opportunity that could shape his future with the team.
The Packers loved Morgan in the draft process in part due to his versatility. Projected versatility, we should add, as he played exclusively at left tackle throughout his college career. Shortly after drafting him in the first round, GM Brian Gutekunst said he believed Morgan could "play four positions."
Yet it's at left tackle where his potential opportunity awaits, and Week 18 is a huge moment for him. With the Packers resting starters, Morgan will presumably start in his best position with a chance to audition for the permanent job.
Jordan Morgan can use Week 18 to prove he's the Packers' next starting left tackle
Rasheed Walker, who has made 48 starts at left tackle over the past three years, is as good as gone in the offseason. The Packers have already handed right tackle Zach Tom a blockbuster extension, and with limited salary cap resources, they likely can't make the same commitment to Walker.
That pushes the door wide open for Morgan, whose elite play at left tackle for Arizona made him a first-round pick. The Packers have tried to make it work almost everywhere except his most comfortable position.
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Morgan has played both guard positions, and, unsurprisingly, looked like a tackle trying to play guard. But in recent weeks, he has deputized for Tom at right tackle, and with encouraging results.
According to Pro Football Focus, while starting the past two games at right tackle, Morgan has allowed one sack but just three total pressures. He earned an excellent 83.6 pass-blocking grade last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Morgan also received run-blocking grades of 74.8 and 74.5 in those two starts. He had earned only one higher grade all season.
And that's at right tackle, the opposite side to where Morgan is most at home. On Sunday in Minnesota, he should finally get a chance to start on the left. Ironically, outside of center, left tackle is the only position on the line where Morgan hasn't played since entering the NFL.
Now, he should get his chance. If Morgan steps up in Week 18, it could serve as the audition to land him the Packers' left tackle job in 2026. And, who knows, maybe it forces him into the lineup ahead of Walker for the playoffs.
Locked into the No. 7 seed already, Week 18 might feel meaningless for the Packers, but it could mean everything for Morgan.