Jets edge rushers provide big test for Packers OTs in Week 2 - Packers Wire

Green Bay Packers offensive tackles Jordan Morgan and Zach Bako-Bewele had forgettable season debuts last Sunday, and a big test awaits in a matchup against a pair of athletic edge rushers New York Jets in Week 2.

Can Morgan and Bako-Bewele bounce back in 1-on-1 matchups against Will McDonald IV and David Bailey on Sunday at MetLife Stadium?

The numbers from the season's opening week help paint the picture.

According to Pro Football Focus, Morgan and Bako-Bewele combined to give up eight total pressures in Week 1, including four quarterback hits and a sack. Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner finished with 10 total pressures, including seven quick pressures, per Next Gen Stats. The interior of the offensive line was a major problem for the Packers, but the tackles also struggled in pass protection against Brian Flores.

Morgan was making his first start as the full-time starting left tackle, while Bako-Bewele was making his first start since having offseason surgery to repair a partially torn patellar tendon. Throw in the never-ending blitzes of Brian Flores, and the Packers offensive line crumbled across the board.

Rebounding in Week 2 is a top priority because the Jets have at least two edge rushers who can disrupt the passing game.

McDonald, a 2023 first-round pick, had a sack and finished with a pass-rush win rate of 40 percent (per ESPN) in Week 1. Bailey, the second overall pick in the 2026 draft, produced a team-high six pressures, including a sack. Even former Packer Kingsley Enagbare had five total pressures and a sack in the season opener.

Both McDonald and Bailey are athletic marvels, and they'll be playing on the turf of MetLife Stadium. These are fast, athletic rushers who will have Morgan and Bako-Bewele under stress on most passing downs.

One thing to monitor: McDonald, who was taken two picks after Lukas Van Ness in 2023, has an ankle injury coming out of Thursday's practice, so his status for Sunday is now in question. Even if he's able to go, having an ankle injury could slow him down as a designated pass-rusher.

Bailey versus Bako-Bewele will be the heavyweight fight. Per Next Gen Stats, Bailey had six pressures while lined up against the right tackle in his NFL regular season debut, while Bako-Bewele -- who is typically one of the most reliable pass-protecting right tackles -- was charged with giving up seven pressures in the opener.

Bailey's scouting report from Lance Zierlein coming out of Texas Tech: "Bailey is extremely hard for linemen to stay in front of. He moves like a slashing two guard, blending explosiveness and fluidity to slip, bend and flow around blocks from multiple angles. His leverage and lower-body flexion create game-over scenarios once he reaches pocket depth with even a minor lead. He can be stalled when a blocker latches his hands in deep, but Bailey’s elusiveness and suddenness make clean clamps a relative rarity. He’s instinctive with natural mid-rush counters, but he must continue developing hand usage and crafting rush plans for when protection shifts his way. Teams can run at Bailey due to his lack of anchor and take-on presence, but his work-around quickness will also lead to tackles for loss. His draft grade is slightly tempered by a lack of desired size/length, but the explosiveness and athletic talent is truly elite. His sack production should carry over to the NFL as an odd-front rush linebacker with Pro Bowl upside."

The Packers offensive line got blitzed by Flores in Week 1. Bouncing back in Week 2 will likely require the offensive tackle pair to handle New York's most disruptive players on passing downs.

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