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Jenkins is already slated to be compensated like the second-highest-paid interior offensive lineman on a multi-year contract next year.
The Green Bay Packers’ guard-turned-center Elgton Jenkins wanted a new contract this offseason, which is why he never took a snap with the team this summer until Monday, when he was activated off the non-football injury list. That is truth.
What I will push back on, though, is this narrative that Jenkins’ contract issue stemmed from what type of money he’ll make at the center position compared to guard.
Below is a tweet from Sports Illustrated’s Bill Huber, who I believe is one of the two best reporters on the Packers’ beat, stating that a core issue in Jenkins’ situation is the guard versus center disparity.
Here’s an excerpt from that article:
Two, when it comes to a potential contract extension: offensive tackles make more money than guards and guards make more money than centers. According to Spotrac, five guards are making at least $20 million per season. Including Aaron Banks, who the Packers signed to a four-year, $77 million contract in free agency, 13 are making at least $15 million annually.
Meanwhile, no center is making more than $18 million per season and Jenkins is one of only three making at least $15 million.
Huber isn’t alone in this lane. All offseason long, we’ve been hearing from reporters that Jenkins wants more money for playing a less valuable position. On the surface, though, this makes little sense.
If you just look at the numbers, you’ll realize that Jenkins is already being compensated very well going into next year, even on the relative scale of NFL offensive linemen.
Right now, there are 29 offensive linemen who are set to have a cap hit of $20 million or more next year. Among them, only 12 will bring home the $20 million cash flow that Jenkins is going to receive next season. Jenkins is in a five-way tie for the eighth-highest cash flow among NFL offensive linemen in 2026 with Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor, Tennessee Titans left tackle Dan Moore and Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith.
So, who are the seven linemen who are going to make more money in 2026 than Jenkins?
Obviously, Johnson’s contract stands out at the top because of the Eagles’ creative structure of his deal. Another caveat here is that Smith’s number is the cost of his fifth-year option, so he’s not on a multi-year contract. At this point, we should probably just start thinking of fifth-year options as an extra franchise...
