The Green Bay Packers struck gold in 2019 when they selected Elgton Jenkins in the second round. He is one of the best interior linemen in the game and was set to become a free agent this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst did not allow that to happen. In December, the team signed Jenkins to a four-year $68 million contract extension. In the first couple of hours of free agency period, this deal is already looking amazing for the Packers.
That Elgton Jenkins contract is already aging very well for the Packers
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) March 13, 2023
Elgton Jenkins Deal Looks Great For The Green Bay Packers
There has been a run on offensive linemen on the first day of free agency and the numbers are huge. The three contracts that have been agreed upon are as follows.
Kansas City Chiefs: OT Jawaan Taylor 4-years $80 million ($60 million guaranteed)
Denver Broncos: OG Ben Powers 4-years $52 million ($28.5 million guaranteed)
Denver Broncos: OT Mike McGlinchey 5-years $87.5 million ($50 million guaranteed)
These are some massive numbers that have come out of free agency. It is safe to say that if Jenkins would have reached free agency, he would have gotten a huge payday. Many would argue Jenkins is more valuable than any of these players as he can play any position on the line. The fact that the Packers will get him at a reasonable number is a huge win.
Love Wisconsin Sports? Listen to 97.3 The Fan on iHeart Radio
Give Gutekunst His Flowers
No GM is perfect and Gutekunst has made plenty of picks/decisions that fans can criticize. However, it is deals like this that show how savvy he can be. A deal like this is how the Packers have enough money to fill in around the edges. Keisean Nixon got re-signed which was huge for the special teams. Having money for these types of players is essential to long-term success. Getting the Jenkins deal done in a timely manner saved the Packers a boatload of money.
The Elgton Jenkins deal is going to keep getting better and better for the Green Bay Packers. He and David Bakhtiari make up one of the best tandems in the league and the Packers will need both of them to be at the top of their game in the 2023 season.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @sorcerermatt, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here!
