Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke to the media from the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He addressed several of the club's most pressing questions, including the status of veteran left guard Aaron Banks.
Banks has been mentioned as a potential cut candidate after struggling mightily in his inaugural campaign with the Packers. The 2021 second-round pick is due a $9.5 million roster bonus on the third day of the new league year, which begins on March 11. But it sounds like Green Bay intends to hang onto him past then, which wouldn't be the worst thing, albeit to fans' chagrin.
"I wouldn't expect [Banks] to go anywhere," Gutekunst told reporters in Indy (h/t Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated).
Giving Aaron Banks a second chance makes sense for Brian Gutekunst, Packers
Needless to say, the Packers certainly expected more from Banks when the two sides agreed to a four-year, $77 million contract last free agency. Yet, not releasing him before the upcoming guarantee date all but secures his spot in their 2026 plans. Gutekunst and Co. have proven they believe in redemption, almost to a fault (cough, Keisean Nixon and Rashan Gary), so folks may not be thrilled.
However, this time, it makes sense. The Packers are already likely to lose three starting offensive linemen this offseason (Elgton Jenkins, Rasheed Walker, and Sean Rhyan). So, given the turnover they're already expecting, giving Banks another shot is probably a smart call.
Continuity matters, especially for a unit that's so reliant on communication, chemistry, and scheme mastery. Keeping Banks gives them one less lineman to replace despite likely upsetting a decent contingent of Packers supporters. Moreover, and perhaps most importantly, it gives franchise quarterback Jordan Love a familiar face amid all the changes around the two of them.
Now would be the time to move on from Banks if that's the direction they wanted to go. March 13 marks a rather firm cutoff, though the Packers don't seem too interested in pulling that lever. That means they're betting on his improvement down the stretch of 2025 to be more than a flash in the pan.
Pro Football Focus gave Banks a 53.0 overall grade for his efforts this season, good for 66th among 81 qualified guards. He was slightly better as a run-blocker (54.6), but not by much.