Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl OL Elgton Jenkins skipping offseason program over contract dispute

Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins is skipping the team’s offseason workout program as he seeks a new contract, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN. The Packers want Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowler at left guard, to move to center in 2025.

While Jenkins is open to the move, he would like Green Bay to “make it more financially stable for him to do so,” Demovsky wrote. Jenkins, 29, has two years remaining on the four-year, $68 million contract extension he signed in December 2022. His average of $17 million would tie him with Cam Jurgens of the Philadelphia Eagles as the second-highest paid center in the NFL.

But according to Demovsky, Jenkins’ concerns are tied to future earnings. Centers typically make less than the highest-paid guards and tackles. The top-7 highest annual earners at guard make more than the highest-paid center in football, Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs. Only six centers make north of $10 million annually.

Green Bay Packers want to move Elgton Jenkins to center and here’s why

Why do the Packers want to move a proven left guard such as Jenkins further inside? The answer is the free agent signing of Aaron Banks. A 13-game starter at left guard for the San Francisco 49ers last season, Banks signed a four-year, $77 million deal with the Packers.

Since entering the league in 2019, Jenkins has played every position along Green Bay’s offensive line. Jenkins played center in college at Mississippi State. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst believes Jenkins has a chance to be an All-Pro center in the NFL.

“We had plenty of conversations with Elgton leading up to it, and obviously he played center in college,” Gutekunst said earlier this offseason. “We feel he’s got a chance to be an All-Pro center. We’ve talked about it a lot, how versatility plays into our offensive line, and having guys that can move to different spots. And Elgton’s one of those guys who can play all five spots, so he’s a luxury. I’m excited to see what he can do at center, as well.”