Breaking: Packers Closing In On Deal To Sign $12.5 Million Veteran Center To Help Keep Jordan Love Upright

Though general manager Brian Gutekunst still has work to do along the offensive line, the Green Bay Packers were excited to leave the first round of the NFL Draft with offensive tackle Jordan Morgan to help keep quarterback Jordan Love upright.

With so much riding on a 2024 season with high expectations, and Love having been sacked thirty times in his debut season as the Packers’ starter in 2023, Green Bay may turn to the free agent market to strengthen the line in front of its breakout quarterback.

Connor Williams might be the ideal target for the Packers in the upcoming weeks, according to Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness, who compiled a list of the best matches for the remaining free agents.

“Williams’ free agency has likely been delayed by the fact that he is coming off a season-ending injury,” McGuinness writes for PFF. “But it was a season during which he set a career-high with an 86.5 PFF grade as the Dolphins’ starting center.

“At this point in the offseason, signing a short-term, prove-it contract might be the best path to a long-term deal; the Green Bay Packers could use the competition at the position with Josh Myers.” With a 54.7 PFF grade in 2023, Myers was among the league’s lowest-graded centers. While Williams’ experience when fully fit could be crucial for a club that should be a contender in the NFC in 2024, the Packers also gained Jacob Monk through the draft.

How Connor Williams Would Fit The Packers

In the last two offseasons, Gutekunst and the Packers have done a fantastic job of assembling young, cheap talent that has room to grow around Love and bolstering the defense under new coordinator Jeff Hafley with playmakers.

However, there is still some uncertainty over the offensive line’s depth.

The Packers may have benefited from Williams’ experience along the inside, even after selecting Duke’s Jacob Monk in the fifth round.

Before rupturing his ACL in Week 14, Williams only allowed one sack and one quarterback hit, according to PFF. The 26-year-old could compete for the starting center position in Green Bay while giving the Packers valuable depth.

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Jordan Morgan Draws High Praise: ‘Athlete Jumps Off the Tape’

Morgan’s draft ranking increased dramatically after a great Senior Bowl performance.

Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy discussed what he thought made Morgan stand out in a strong offensive line class after the draft.

“We knew right away that he was someone we wanted to invite, didn’t we?”Nagy said to Packer Central, the Packers website for Sports Illustrated. “Off the tape, the athlete leaps.” We have now spent a few years on Jordan. We had hoped to get him by the end of the year, but in November of 2022, he suffered an ACL tear.

For the starting left tackle position, Morgan will most likely face competition right away from Rasheed Walker. Pro Football Focus notes that Morgan let up two sacks in the previous season despite receiving an excellent 87.1 pass-protection grade from the publication.

“I believe that next fall, the Packers will have an even better player,” Nagy stated. He was less than a year out from ACL surgery when we watched him this year. He will return next year stronger and possibly with greater confidence. In my opinion, the player you’re getting is even better than the one you watched on tape. But he seems like a left-tackle athlete to me. Without a doubt, you could play him there. Additionally, I believe he has the potential to be a very upscale guard.