Jenkins Signs Contract Extension With Packers

The Green Bay Packers and guard Elgton Jenkins agreed to a contract extension with an average salary that ranks second among guards.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Dec 23, 2022 12:34 PM EST

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Elgton Jenkins signed a four-year contract extension with the Green Bay Packers before Friday’s practice.

According to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who was the first to report the details, the four-year deal is worth $68 million with a max of $74 million. It includes a $24 million signing bonus.

“I said, ‘I can’t wait to see our presents. You got a nice little Christmas bonus,’” coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s a great day for us, a great day for Elgton. Obviously, he’s earned it.”

The extension takes care of Green Bay’s top upcoming free agent and will keep him with the team through the 2026 season.

“He does it the right way,” LaFleur continued. “It’s always fun as a coach to see guys that get rewarded for not only their performance but what they do in that locker room and the leadership he brings. I can’t say enough great things about him. He’s been just awesome since the day he set foot in this building. Just brings so much to our team and just really, really, really, really excited. That’s a good little Christmas present for all of us.”

The $17 million average trails only Indianapolis Colts standout Quenton Nelson ($20 million) among guards. Among all offensive linemen, Jenkins’ average ranks 13th behind seven left tackles, four right tackles and Nelson.

“We are very excited to be able to come to an agreement that keeps Elgton with the Packers,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said in the official announcement. “Since the moment he walked into the building, Elgton has been a core member of this franchise while displaying an uncommon versatility, unselfishness and toughness. He's a tremendous leader and teammate and he has earned everything that has come to him.”

Coming off a torn ACL and with limited reps during training camp, Jenkins struggled a bit in his transition to right tackle. Beginning in Week 7 against Washington, the Packers moved him back to left guard, where he earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020, and he’s rounded back into vintage form. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed zero sacks, hits or pressures the last four games.

This week, he was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

“Elgton is a warrior in everything that he does, man,” offensive line coach Luke Butkus said recently. “He is truly a stud. I felt terrible for him for what happened last year and he’s battled his butt off to get back. Are there setbacks every week or every whatever? Is he feeling his best? He’ll never tell you. But when he comes out and plays on Sunday, he’s going to give it everything he has.”

Jenkins sat out the season-opening game against Minnesota and was a surprise inactive against Buffalo due to a foot injury sustained at practice. Otherwise, he’s played every snap in his 12 games.

“I was listening to a Kobe Bryant interview, and he was like, ‘You’ve got to get over yourself. It’s not about you, it’s about the team,” Jenkins said in October. “But, at the same time, you always strive to be the best player you can be, especially when, pre-injury, you were playing at a high level. You want to play to that level. Listening to that, he was just saying it’s about getting over yourself, how he’d make a shot, then missed a shot, missed a shot, and he basically got in the lab and started working on it, making his weakness his strength.”

While Jenkins struggled at right tackle, he thrived at left tackle in 2021 in place of injured David Bakhtiari until he sustained a torn ACL at Minnesota in November.

A premier player, Jenkins was the one must-sign free agent for the upcoming offseason.

Some of the Packers’ upcoming free agents include receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, tight ends Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan, defensive linemen Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed, kicker Mason Crosby, and two 2022 free-agent additions who have outplayed their contracts, cornerback/kick returner Keisean Nixon and safety Rudy Ford.

There will be more on this story throughout the day following media availability.