Packers’ Rookies Morgan and Belton Stand Out as Offensive Line Hopes Grow

The Green Bay Packers struggled mightily on offense during Saturday night's preseason loss to the New York Jets, but the performances from a pair of young offensive tackles provide a bright spot coming out of the 30-10 defeat.

2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan and 2025 second-round pick Anthony Belton both got considerable playing time at tackle on opposite sides of the offensive line, and both performed notably well, especially as pass-blockers.

According to Pro Football Focus, Morgan played 23 pass-blocking snaps and didn't allow a single pressure. He finished with the team's best pass-blocking grade at 88.0, a near elite grade. Overall, Morgan was the offense's third-highest graded player while playing 36 total snaps -- including 12 with the starting offense -- at left tackle.

"I thought he did a nice job," coach Matt LaFleur said. "I thought there was a lot of good things to build upon. It was a solid performance."

Belton played 42 snaps at right tackle. While he was flagged twice for penalties and had a mental error on one blitz, Belton played a team-high 25 snaps as a pass-blocker and didn't give up a pressure, and he earned the offensive line's second-highest run-blocking grade overall. He had a key knockdown block on Amar Johnson's 39-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

LaFleur likes the flashes but wants more consistency.

"There was some good and some thing that we absolutely have to clean up, just like many young players," LaFleur said. "Consistency is one of the things we have to work on with him. He flashes the ability, he flashes the talent, it's just a matter of time. He is getting better. There was some great plays in there."

The debuts from Morgan and Belton are significant for multiple reasons. For starters, Morgan is getting his first real opportunity to play left tackle at the NFL level, and he proved why the Packers think he has a chance to stick on the edge. It's possible he could make the left tackle competition with Rasheed Walker a real one over the next two weeks. Belton, meanwhile, provided a taste of his potential as a starting option on either the left or right side.

While Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk and Donovan Jennings struggled on the interior in the preseason opener, the Packers have to be feeling good about the situation at offensive tackle. Morgan is viable at left tackle, and Belton has real potential as a swing tackle option in Year 1.

Other encouraging performances from the Packers offense:

-- Right tackle Zach Tom had one very bad snap vs. Will McDonald, allowing a quick pressure on third down, but he was very good in the run game.

-- Tight end John FitzPatrick caught a 17-yard pass and had a solid run-blocking grade over 19 total snaps. He must be considered the front runner for the third tight end job.

-- First-round pick Matthew Golden converted a pair of third downs -- one with a 7-yard catch, the second by drawing a pass interference penalty -- while working with Jordan Love and the first-team offense.

-- Rookie Amar Johnson forced three missed tackles and had two runs of at least 15 yards. He also had a 10-yard run negated by a penalty. He has legit speed and burst.

-- Rookie quarterback Taylor Elgersma completed 3-of-4 passes in the fourth quarter.