One Thing That Could Keep Packers Out of Playoffs in 2024

Expectations are on the rise for the Green Bay Packers. They surprised a lot of people with how well they performed in 2023, but they won’t be catching anyone off guard in 2024.

Opponents will be prepared to face off against what looks like a much-improved defense led by Jeff Hafley. Offensively, the Packers have the pieces to be one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL.

But, even the best teams have an Achilles heel that could be their undoing. In the opinion of Gordon McGuinness of PFF, Jordan Morgan struggling early at left tackle could be their undoing.

“The expectation is that Morgan will open the season as the Packers’ starting left tackle, replacing Rasheed Walker who was deputizing for David Bakhtiari in 2023.

Bakhtiari has battled injuries over the past few years but was one of the best pass-blockers in the NFL when healthy. Unlike Guyton in Dallas, Morgan isn’t switching sides as a rookie, and he put up an 87.1 pass-blocking grade at left tackle at Arizona in 2023. Still, just five rookies earned a better pass-blocking grade than Walker’s 74.7 last year, so the expectation is that he might be a downgrade to start,” McGuinness wrote.

Morgan has taken reps at left tackle this offseason, but the Packers have made it a point to cross-train him. He has taken snaps at every position along the offensive line this offseason except center.

The Packers would love for their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to play well enough to earn a starting spot. But, he has to do exactly that; earn it. A spot won’t be handed to him because of his draft pedigree.

Where he will play isn’t set in stone. The Packers liked what they saw from Rasheed Walker in his first chance to play in place of David Bakhtiari last season. He will certainly receive a chance to hold down that spot and should improve in Year 3 of his NFL career.

While McGuinness singled out Morgan in his article, the offensive line as a whole could have been used. With so much talent offensively, the only thing that could derail this unit looks to be a shaky offensive line performance.

Elgton Jenkins and Zach Tom are the anchors after playing left guard and right tackle last season. Their positions in 2024 could change, especially if Morgan shows he is ready for a starting spot during training camp and the preseason.

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