The Green Bay Packers were ecstatic when given the chance to sign left guard Aaron Banks away from the San Francisco 49ers, as they handed out a four-year contract worth $77 million in a deal that many pessimists deemed to be above market value for a player of Banks' talents.
Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst are taking a calculated risk, hoping that Banks will be able to produce in an offense that can take advantage of his skillset. He hasn't been able to flex his muscles much in training camp, as he is currently working his way back to full health.
Banks appears to be fighting through a back injury that has kept him from showing off his full range of talents. Banks wasn't able to put in a full practice on Monday as a result of this injury, and he doesn't appear to be getting any better.
Banks did not return to the field after he went inside following warmups, leading some to believe he has suffered a minor setback in his recovery. While Banks will likely be fine by the time the regular season comes around, any player who signed a big free agent contracts and has to fight through injuries is worth keeping an eye on.
Packers guard Aaron Banks dealing with injury at training camp
Banks was given a 65.4 PFF grade last season, which puts him in a slightly above-average tier when compared to other starters across the league. However, Banks is a much better run blocker than he is a pass blocker, as he allowed 25 pressures last season.
A former second-round pick of the 49ers back in 2021, Banks has dealt with injuries since assuming a starting role in 2022. Banks has never played a full 17 games, missing two games in 2023 and four games last season. His back trouble seems to be popping up quite often.
Banks was not only handed a huge contract, but the Packers moved Elgton Jenkins over to center to accommodate him. It's not a great look for Banks to be banged up right after the Packers moved plenty of their furniture around in the name of making sure he could come to town.