Packers’ potential 2026 breakout star after strong OTAs showing

Jordan Morgan was expected to immediately become the starting lineman at Left Tackle following his draft in 2024, but his development has been slower than expected and he’s served more so as a “plug and play” substitute throughout various positions on the line. This season, he heads into OTA’s as the starting LT listed on the depth chart, so he’ll have to show off his development come Week 1 with great expectation riding on this season.

However, the confidence instilled in Morgan to start at the tackle position could do wonders for his play on the field this upcoming season. Morgan stands 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds, putting him right in line with the rest of the Packers’ o-line that includes LG Aaron Banks, C Sean Rhyan, RG Anthony Belton, and RT Zach Tom. Indicated through his brief time with the Packers and his playing days at Auburn, Jordan Morgan could be the best pure-athlete and talented lineman on this roster.

His blend of size, footwork, and power holds all the potential, but it’ll be about putting things together on game day once he’s protecting Jordan Love’s blind side. In order for the Packers to reach their Super Bowl aspirations, Jordan Morgan will certainly need to actualize his potential as he’ll be a key part of that journey.

Morgan has garnered praise from veterans, former players.

Six-time NFL All-Pro, ten-time Pro Bowl selection, and 2023 NFL Hall-of-Fame inductee Joe Thomas was recently visiting Green Bay (in full Packers’ apparel) checking out the offensive line and giving some pointers to what could stand out as a truly special unit in 2026. Thomas, widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive lineman ever, was both impressed with Jordan Morgan’s skills and intangibles, but also frustrated that Morgan’s untapped potential has yet to be uncovered.

Thomas told ESPN Wisconsin: “Jordan Morgan, he’s a great athlete, he’s got exceptional footwork, he’s powerful. I was sitting there waiting to give him a bunch of tips about things I thought he could do a better job of, we watched film that morning and I said ‘Honestly buddy, there’s a couple little things that I would do differently if it was me, it’s not better or worse than what you’re doing’…but overall I really was impressed with how he moved, the fastidiousness with which he approached his craft, I thought that everything I saw on the field was just impressive.”

Thomas goes on, “It was on a [blocking] bag, granted, but I thought that he was just doing a really good job with that footwork, that technique, that hand placement, the focus that he was playing with, how quick he was moving, getting up to the second level on his combination blocks. I think the offensive line is going to be one of their strengths this year.”

Clearly, garnering first-hand praise from one of the best players to ever do it is setting a high benchmark for Jordan Morgan to perform this season, but expect the third-year left tackle to have his breakout season in 2026 following his strong OTA and preseason appearances.