During the offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars significantly bolstered their offensive line by acquiring Mitch Morse, formerly of the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, to take over from Luke Fortner. Morse brings a wealth of experience from his time with successful teams and has showcased his skills on major football stages. But what exactly does Morse offer the Jaguars? Nathaniel Marrero of Bills Central provides an analysis.
Marrero highlights Morse’s proficiency as a run blocker, citing his impressive 74 percent run-block win rate according to ESPN, ranking him 10th among interior offensive linemen. This attribute is particularly valuable for the Jaguars, who struggled with their running game, averaging only 96.8 rushing yards per game. Morse’s presence could help create opportunities for Travis Etienne Jr. to excel.
However, Marrero also points out Morse’s weakness in pass blocking. In the 2023 season, he allowed 31 pressures and one sack, as reported by Pro Football Focus. While some of this can be attributed to quarterback Josh Allen’s style of play, Morse’s pass-blocking skills remain an area for improvement.
When asked about Morse’s departure from the Bills, Marrero emphasizes not only his on-field contributions but also his leadership qualities. Morse served as a locker room leader for Buffalo, making his replacement a challenging task. Even if Connor McGovern seamlessly fills Morse’s position and the offensive line performs well, the loss of Morse’s leadership is considered one of Buffalo’s significant setbacks in free agency.
