This offseason, the Green Bay Packers decided for veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins to switch from left guard to center. With the Packers gearing up for the 2025 NFL season, Jenkins spoke about the change he’s adapting to during camp and preseason.
Green Bay signed former 49ers left guard Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million deal in free agency, prompting Jenkins to move to center. Nonetheless, with the change in position comes the financial concerns, as it could be seen as a center for the foreseeable future rather than a left guard.
Over the Cap’s (h/t The Athletic) list of the 10 highest-paid players at each position shows that top left guards average $14.7 million annually, while centers come in at $11.25 million.
As a result, it came as no surprise when Jenkins said on Monday that he considered how changing positions could affect him financially during the offseason. Nonetheless, with the 2025 NFL season around the corner, the 29-year-old is putting the team first and putting his financial concerns on hold for now.
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“Right now, I’m just focused on the season going forward, just being able to perform for the team and just getting our O-line right, our offense right, so we can be better this year than we were last year,” Jenkins said.
“Right now, I’m not even thinking about that. … Been playing this game for 20-some years, seven years in the league. I’m very confident in my ability and what I can do. The financial side, I know that’s going to come.”
Jenkins doesn’t have to worry about his contract situation just yet; he’s signed with the Packers through 2026. Still, it makes sense that he’s thinking about his long-term financial future.
He’ll be 32 when he hits free agency in 2027, and if he stays healthy, that next deal could be the last big contract of his career. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out long-term, but for now, it’s all about helping the Packers win the AFC North and make a deep playoff run.
