Packers get decision on new Elgton Jenkins contract spot on

The Green Bay Packers have already answered one of their biggest offseason questions.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Packers have signed offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins to a new huge four-year deal.

Rapoport reported that the contract is worth a base value of $68 million and a max value of $74 million. It makes Jenkins the second-highest-paid guard in the NFL.

And the Packers absolutely made the right call.

Packers make right decision to give Elgton Jenkins new deal

With this move, the Packers have answered one of their top offseason questions.

While it always seemed likely Jenkins would get a new deal, some questioned the possibility after Jenkins struggled somewhat in his return from injury this season.

Jenkins initially started at tackle but moved back to left guard, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2020.

And it hasn’t taken long for him to get back to his usual dominant best.

It often takes players some time to get back to 100 percent after returning from a torn ACL. Jordy Nelson took some time to rediscover his best form in 2016 before dominating in the second half of the year.

Back at guard, Jenkins has been excellent.

And while he struggled somewhat at right tackle season, he is more than capable of playing there. He played at a Pro Bowl level at tackle last year before getting hurt. The Packers shouldn’t hesitate to give him snaps there again in the future if needed.

Jenkins is one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL. As he continues to work his way back from a significant injury, he should only keep improving.

He was named a Pro Bowl alternate earlier this week and was a Pro Bowler in his last fully-healthy season in 2020.

Had Jenkins hit free agency, multiple teams would’ve been desperate to sign him, both for his ability to play at a Pro Bowl level, and to line up at multiple positions.

The Packers made the right call to get a new deal agreed way ahead of time.