JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Before the 2023 season even kicked off, many believed the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive line was one of the team's question marks. The injury bug attacked the offensive line early and often, which forced Doug Pederson and company to send out a different starting lineup every week.
Seeing a healthy offensive line is a sight for sore eyes for Jaguars fans. Ezra Cleveland, Cam Robinson, Anton Harrison, and now Mitch Morse can finally get some work in together.
"For me, the biggest thing was to take it slow. It was a very established offensive line. Not a lot of turnovers. For me, it was seeing how they did things, how I fit in, and pushing the power forward rather than doing something or putting a thorn in the heel of the offensive line," said Mitch Morse, Jaguars center.
Morse said he's feeling good after hand surgery in the offseason.
"It was more of a maintenance thing. It didn't hinder anything out here, so it's been good. Health has been great. That's one of the main reasons I became a free agent and signed up to play more football. Health is something that I take seriously as a father and husband," Morse said.
And he likes what he's seeing from his teammates.
"Extremely intelligent football players, athletic as hell, and I think they got a little nasty in them too, which I think you need in an offensive line. I'm really excited to work with those guys and the guards as well," said Morse.
The organization brought on the center from Buffalo for his leadership and championship experience.
"Someone who brings a lot of experience to that position and to that group. Been really good with Luke. Those two have been working extremely close, and Mitch has been a great resource for Luke," said Doug Pederson, Jaguars head coach.
From snapping the ball to Josh Allen to now Trevor Lawrence, Morse said there are more similarities than differences.
"They have the respect in the locker room, they're good dudes, and they command the huddle, and that really resonates with the group," Morse said.
Morse said his hope for the offensive line during OTAs is to work towards having "one heartbeat".