Elgton Jenkins Skips Workouts Amid Contract Demands
Having been selected by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft as the #44 overall pick, Elgton Jenkins has been a crucial member of the offensive line.
Jenkins Wants To Be Paid
He has played every position for the team, making him a highly valuable commodity because of the versatility that he offers. Indeed, when he plays, he can be influential for the team, making them a popular option for sports bettors and DFS enthusiasts. Those who use the best DFS Apps may pick the team if he is playing because of what he offers them. With him starting at the line of scrimmage, it improves the Packers’ offensive play as Jordan Love is able to play at quarterback, giving bettors confidence that they can execute their game plans.
However, there may be some trouble in paradise, at least for the time being. According to ESPN, he wants to be paid properly if he is to move to center and play the position full time. As a result, he has decided to sit out of practices and workouts until something is worked out between him and the franchise.
A two-time Pro Bowler, the left guard is a player the team is going to need to get onboard if they are to have a chance of playing in the playoffs and challenging for a long-awaited Super Bowl. To get him onboard, it would appear reassurances need to be made about his financial future.
Jenkins has a contract that lasts for a further two years after signing a four-year extension in December 2022. That deal was worth a total of $68 million, and was designed on the idea that he would be playing as a full time guard. At the same time, it was also designed to keep him being paid competitively if he were to be moved to another premium-priced position on the offensive line. With an average salary of $17 million, he would be among the highest-paid centers in the NFL.
However, there’s a concern about what he would potentially earn in the future if he were to be designated a full time center. Players in this position typically earn a lot less than those who play at guard or tackle. For context, only Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Cameron Jurgens make the same kind of money Jenkins is currently ($18 million and $17 million, respectively). The next best-paid is Drew Dalman, with the Chicago Bears center earning $14 million on average per year.
Currently, Jenkins’ contract will see him earn $12.8 million across the 2025 NFL season, with the following campaign seeing him earn $20 million. At the end of his contract, he will be 30, which is why he is perhaps concerned about what his next contract might be worth and why he wants assurances now.
Still, with the history that the Packers have regarding adjusting contracts when there is more than one year remaining, it doesn’t appear likely that it will happen. A compromise might have to happen, which may be to guarantee some of the remaining money on the current deal, having only been guaranteed his initial signing bonus of $24 million.
Plan for Jenkins to play at Center
Jenkins has had to move to the center following the decision by the team to sign Aaron Banks in free agency. The former San Francisco 49ers left guard joined in March when he signed a four-year contract worth a reported $77 million. It’s not thought to be a problem for Jenkins, with it believed that previous conversations have taken place. It is thought that there are other reasons why he has not participated in workouts so far, forgoing a $500,000 workout bonus in the process. In addition to Banks, offensive tackles Anthony Belton (#55 overall) and John Williams (#250) were both drafted in the 2025 NFL draft by the Packers.
General manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned earlier in the offseason that they believe in Jenkins’ ability to be a top center and that he is a luxury player because of the versatility that he offers the offensive line.
Having played at center during his time at college with Mississippi State, he has plenty of experience. However, it appears the question might be whether he believes he is being compensated enough to move there.
Only time will tell, although it doesn’t appear as though he is prepared to comment on the issue publicly at the moment.
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