Will the Packers Rotate the Right Guard Position Against Philadelphia?
Matt LaFleur hasn't confirmed if the Packers will start Sean Rhyan, Jordan Morgan, or rotate both at right guard against the Eagles.
Jordan Morgan was solidifying his role as the starting right guard on the Packers' offensive line until an injury sidelined him. In his absence, Sean Rhyan stepped up during the preseason, allowing just one pressure over 42 pass-blocking snaps.
In a press conference, Matt LaFleur stated that the Packers "will have a plan" for the right guard position, leaving it uncertain whether Morgan or Rhyan will start. Green Bay has a history of rotating offensive linemen; last year, Rhyan continuously rotated with Jon Runyan Jr. in December.
The Packers tend to be cautious about thrusting rookies into prominent roles too quickly. It's possible that Rhyan, who was drafted two years ago and has a contract year approaching in 2025, could start on Friday. The organization needs to assess his readiness.
Rhyan showed promise as a run-blocker last year but still requires refinement in pass-blocking. With the Eagles boasting a top-10 pass rush last season according to Pro Football Focus, Green Bay will need Rhyan to deliver his best pass-blocking performance if he is named the starter. On the other hand, I would like Jordan Morgan to start as soon as possible. Rookies, especially offensive linemen, need game experience to develop. While Morgan might struggle early in his career, it is crucial for him to learn from these growing pains. His talent is too significant to keep him on the bench.
I'm not a fan of rotating offensive linemen. An offensive line functions best as a cohesive unit, where familiarity with each other's tendencies and movements enhances adaptability in play calls and pass protections. Rotating linemen disrupts rhythm and introduces inconsistency.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility for LaFleur to rotate his right guards, as he did last year. However, the Eagles had a top 10 pass rush last year, with Jalen Carter and Josh Sweat combining for 117 pressures, 20 quarterback hits, 83 hurries, and 12.5 sacks in 2023. Whoever starts at right guard will have their hands full with Carter on the inside.
The right guard position is still up for grabs in Green Bay. Morgan is returning from injury, and the Packers may proceed cautiously with him. However, when he's healthy, I would bet on him being a starter. Rhyan might start in Brazil, but that should not mean he has secured the position. The right guard spot was the most open heading into the 2024 season, and we can expect a battle as the Packers go through the year.
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Felipe is a Brazilian Packers writer covering the #GoPackGo for CheeseheadTV, Zone Coverage, and Packers Talk. Additionally, he contributes to Cheeseheads Brazil. Follow him on twitter at @Aceti_Felipe.
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Comments (15)
GregC
September 04, 2024 at 07:13 pm
When they put Jordan Morgan in at right guard at the beginning of training camp, he immediately beat out Sean Rhyan. It took maybe a couple of days, then Morgan played with the starters until he injured his shoulder. He should be able to take the starting job back within a couple of weeks, but maybe they rotate them for this first game. If one of them struggles in this game, they can go with the one who is steadier. I hope that's Morgan, because I still don't trust Rhyan in pass protection.
Leatherhead
September 04, 2024 at 07:16 pm
We spent #25 on a backup RG who is already injured before his first game. Certainly, there was a guard available later in the draft.
And I LIKED the Morgan pick at the time, because I thought we would be shoring up the LT spot for the next 4-5 years during the "Love Window".
Bitternotsour
September 04, 2024 at 08:06 pm
It still may be so. Patience.
WestCoastPackerBacker
September 04, 2024 at 08:16 pm
Way too early to worry about whether Morgan will ultimately play guard or tackle. They have the benefit of not immediately needing Morgan at tackle and if he’s an above average or better guard, they’ve improved the line considerably. And he may be their swing tackle to begin his career. Right now the LT spot is pretty “shored up” with Walker, a 7th rounder. Any way you look at that, it’s a win!
Bitternotsour
September 04, 2024 at 08:37 pm
they invested the 26th pick of the draft and a 4th rounder to pick Jordan Love who sat on the bench for 3 years (one too many), it's important to retain some perspective. people crucified Gutenkunst at the time, but clearly patience is important.
Leatherhead
September 04, 2024 at 08:45 pm
Are you seriously comparing a RG to a franchise QB?
Bitternotsour
September 05, 2024 at 09:19 am
I'm seriously comparing draft picks and patience, yes.
GregC
September 04, 2024 at 08:59 pm
Who would you have picked? None of the OTs who were available by that point in the draft would have had much chance of beating out Rasheed Walker, yet the Packers badly needed OL depth. I suppose they could've picked Cooper DeJean, a DB whose best position is still uncertain. He missed most of the Eagles training camp with a hamstring injury and will probably begin the season as their backup slot CB. The only positions where the Packers really needed starters from this draft were LB and safety, and they got both of those in the second round--the first LB taken and the second safety.
TKWorldWide
September 05, 2024 at 05:37 am
GB didn’t pick him to be a backup at RG. They picked him to upgrade their O-line by providing competition. It’s too early to judge the outcome yet.
barutanseijin
September 05, 2024 at 05:48 am
What would you have preferred them to do? The 25 spot is hardly a shoot-fish-in-a-barrel pick. Either you’re taking a chance on an overlooked/undervalued guy at a premium position or you’re taking a risk that a guy who plays a more lunchpail type role is going to be better than average. There’s risk involved either way.
In the past few drafts, teams have used the 25 spot on a couple TEs & WRs, a RB, an OLB, a DB, a CB, a S, and a C who started as defensive lineman. The center (Tyler Linderbaum) was one of the better picks.
Guam
September 05, 2024 at 07:00 am
Patience LH. They got a versatile guy who can play multiple positions. He may start the year as a RG, but injuries happen. The Packer O-line is better with him than without him and who knows what his final position will be.
LambeauPlain
September 05, 2024 at 09:35 am
"Certainly, there was a guard available later in the draft."
There was! Mr. Monk, may I introduce you to LH.
We spent #25 to upgrade the OL and Morgan is now one of the top 5 as a rookie.
He has now been trained at RG and won that job...touted as a highly productive college LT but didn't beat out Walker (yet). I view that as a testament to Walker's continued growth.
Meanwhile Gutey drafted another good OL prospect who has shown he can play inside and out like Jenks and Tom.
Are you upset that Tom, the highly touted C, is now playing RT?
Coldworld
September 05, 2024 at 07:43 am
A draft pick is for 4 or 5 years. I do not care if Morgan starts or Rhyan. I just want the best player now, this week, out there. If Morgan isn’t fully healthy or ready, then that is a part of that equation. Pick one, let them play and, unless they play themselves off in game, keep the battles for between games. Tag teaming helps neither the players involved nor those beside them.
Who is playing in December may be a very different question, but if Walker and Tom are as good as they seem, we would be foolish to meddle with either. Play over draft pedigree every time. As to whether using Morgan inside was foolish, it was our only position with no set incumbent.
However, I certainly hope that they are now giving him time at RT at least. I do not want to see Dillard at all and particularly at RT. Morgan to RT with Tom to left would be better if Walker were out and mean Morgan could focus on just one T role in the short term in addition to RG and on the same side of the line.
LambeauPlain
September 05, 2024 at 09:47 am
Of all the positions on the field, the OL is most dependent on cohesiveness, solid awareness of the teammate on your flank, while developing synergies to their play.
I believe rotating Runyan and Rhyan last season did Myers no favors. And the rotation of Walker and Nijman seemed to send Nijman into an unmotivated funk. He was a different player last season.
If a coaching staff cannot, by now, evaluate who the best player is, I question the substance of their analysis. And it probably has way too much subjectivity being used.
After QB, the worst position to rotate is the OL.
Hature1983
September 18, 2024 at 11:41 pm
Rhyan, who has been working to solidify his role, and Morgan, a promising player, both bring different strengths to the position. 101games.io