Just as one Pro Bowler is leaving Green Bay, another has arrived. Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins has reported to mandatory minicamp after skipping OTAs amid a contract dispute, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“It seems unlikely he’ll practice this week,” added Pelissero, which could simply mean that Jenkins needs a little more time to get in shape, or that he’s planning to stage a ‘hold-in’ as he seeks a contract adjustment.
The Packers are moving Jenkins from guard to center this year, which could threaten his financial future in multiple ways. Centers are typically paid less than guards, making it no guarantee that the Packers will keep him for the $20MM in cash and $24.8MM cap hit in 2026 (via OverTheCap).
Furthermore, whether or not Jenkins hits free agency next offseason or in 2027 when his contract expires, he could have a smaller market if he’s only seen as a center. Still, it’s worth noting that Jenkins has lined up at all five offensive line positions in his career and would likely draw robust interest as a guard if he ever reached the open market.
The Packers’ release of Jaire Alexander may have clarified their financial future enough to come to an agreement with Jenkins. His specific desires – whether they be an extension, a raise, and/or increased guarantees – remain unknown. The guard market has crossed $20MM per year since Jenkins signed his current deal in 2023, and none of the remaining $32.3MM is guaranteed.
Jacob Monk and Sean Rhyan both spent time at center during Jenkins’ absence during OTAs and will likely do the same at the Packers’ minicamp this week.
How in the world is Green Bay going to give Aaron Banks such a huge contract, yet try to go the cheap route with Jenkins.
All this man has done is EVERYTHING the Packers have asked of him, and he’s played well no matter where they have shuffled him around the Offensive Line.
I know it is not a what have you done for me lately league, and it is more of a what can you do for me moving forward, but come on it isn’t like Jenkins is declining in his production or anything. Plus, with his move to Center he’s likely to prolong his career, and he’s going to be the captain of the OL, calling shifts, etc. moving forward with J.Love.
He’s also going to have to cover up for A.Banks and help him out on a regular basis if Banks plays like he did last year. If the Psckers get the 2023 Banks, then he’s a decent OL, but unless they think he is just a better fit for their system than Kyle’s and Foerster’s scheme in San Francisco, I still just do not get the signing at such a high rate…
The 49ers LG position was a major weak point last year, and his upgrade will come from a promoted PS player in Ben Bartch. Bartch came in last year and easily outplayed Banks, and it was just a night and day difference. As big and as strong as Banks is, he just wasn’t getting any push in the running game. Also, he just whiffed on assignments occasionally, and anytime a stunt went his way Big Trent would lock up his man, but Banks’ player he was responsible for would get best of him time after time. I actually think it was the Green Bay game that one of the reserve lineman came into the game and just whooped Banks up and down the field over and over again.
I wish Banksy well in Green Bay, and I hope he makes Gute look good with his signing. He was great in the lockerroom, the media guys loved Banksy, and the fans even liked him, but he was just so inconsistent. Consistently unspectacular would be a better way to define his play on the field last year. He was the weak link on an offensive line that, as a whole, really wasn’t any good. Dom Puni came in at RG, and with the Guard play we were used to seeing in Banks, Burford, and Feliciano, they made Puni look like a perennial all-pro his rookie year…
Maybe he just had some personal stuff going on? Maybe him and Trent or him and Brendel just did not have good chemistry with one another? Maybe Banks just was not ideal for the 49ers offensive scheme, idk?
He better hope he gets it figured out, though. That is especially if he wants to earn all that money he signed for in that new deal.
Of all the guys not to pay this isn’t the one.
He has played just about every damn position on the OL and if anyone deserves an extension on that team it is this guy.
Get the deal done.