By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – For the past few years, Mitch Morse was one the unheralded heroes that helped keep the Bills together.
The 31-year-old Morse was the Bills’ center, and an All-Pro choice in 2022. Morse is regarded as one of the better pass-protecting centers in the league. He also has improved his run-blocking in the process.
Now Morse will bring his talents down south to Jacksonville after he inked a two-year, 10.5 million deal with the Jaguars to anchor their line. Morse is among the growing list of players that have lately left the Bills, the recent being wide receiver Stefon Diggs to Houston. The Jags earlier picked up ex-Bills receiver Gabe Davis.
Morse’s addition may prove to be a more impactful one than Davis. Just ask quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He will appreciate it.
Pederson has familiarity with Morse, being on coach Andy Reid’s staff when he was drafted by the Chiefs. Morse and current ( or former) center Luke Fortner can learn from each other.
“ I liked him and then he became available, “ said Pederson. “This is not a knock on Luke ( Luke Fortner) at all. It’s just a matter of getting better at a position, getting better as a group. I think Mitch brings a veteran presence, and he’s done it for several years now. It’s really somebody that Luke can invest some time in learning from and understanding. I think Mitch’s strengths can be Luke’s weaknesses and vice versa, Luke’s strengths and Mitch’s weaknesses. They can really work together and have that competition that you want.
“ Having a guy like Mitch, much like when we signed Brandon (guardL Brandon Scherff) a couple of years ago, just helps us better as an offensive line.”
Pro Football Focus ranked the Jags’ offensive line efficiency among the last quarter of the 32 teams, ranging from 29th to 32nd throughout the season. Fortner was ranked 32nd among his peers in run-blocking last season.
Pederson recently stated that he would like to heightened the running game, notably getting second-year back Tank Brigsby more involved. The Jags ranked 24th in the league in rushing with Travis Etienne breaking the 1,000-yard threshold.
The biggest thing for us is that we do have to get better in the run game. That’s a given, even as well as TJ [RB Travis Etienne Jr.], he was a 1,000-yard rusher last year. We still have to get better. There’s still more on the table. That helps your quarterback. You’ve got to be able to run the ball in this league as well. It sets up a lot of different things for you.
“ So that’s something as a staff we’ve been focused on this offseason. You know we feel like we’re a pretty good passing team overall. We’re right around a top-10 passing offense and we can improve there.”
The Jags allowed 40 sacks last year, but Pederson is confident that Morse, Scherff, left guard Ezra Cleveland, right tackle Cam Robinson, and left tackle Anton Harrison can provide more protection and stability this season. The unit was together for just one game last year.
Probably the most promising of the five is Harrison, who excelled in his rookie role last season as the team’s top pick. Harrison’s 6-5, 315-pound frame allowed him to handle most of the pass rushers his size, but he had some trouble with the undersized speed rushers.
Still, Harrison received high marks for his play. Harrison was the only Jaguar starter to start all 17 games, and he gave up the lowest percentage of pressures out of all rookie lineman according to PFF (6.3%). Harrison did not allow a single sack in the final nine games of the year.
There is all indication that Pederson would like to keep his five together for next year, even though many believe Scherff hasn’t lived up to his three-year, 49.5-million deal that he signed in 2022. Scherff is scheduled to make 23.9 million this year.
Look for the Jags to keep the unit intact, and not shuffle the spots once the cuts begin in August. Robinson and Harrison should have good years on the outsides, and veteran Walter Little is insurance as a tackle or a guard.
Pederson has bulked up his tight ends and obviously wants his running game to reach another level. The AFC South has become tighter, and Houston getting Diggs didn’t help.
As the saying goes, it all starts up front, and Morse should be an invaluable pickup.
Stability and consistency in the offensive line this season certainly will make life easier for Lawrence.
