The Green Bay Packers may have missed out on several big-name cornerbacks and edge-rushers, but general manager Brian Gutekunst wasn't waiting any longer to upgrade the offensive line.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Packers are signing former San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks in a blockbuster move.
The Packers have handed him a four-year, $77 million deal.
The playoff exit to the Philadelphia Eagles proved the Packers had to upgrade their offensive line. Despite the huge contract, signing Banks makes sense and likely confirms Josh Myers' exit. Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan could slide to center, with Banks taking over a starting role at guard.
Packers strengthen offensive line but raise further questions with Aaron Banks signing
Grade: C
Signing an offensive lineman makes sense, but the Packers are overpaying Banks quite a bit. According to Pro Football Focus, he only allowed one sack in 2024, but his 60.5 pass-blocking grade leaves a lot to be desired.
The Packers signed Banks to a near-identical contract to the one that star edge-rusher Josh Sweat landed with the Arizona Cardinals. That's the part that doesn't make sense.
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If Jenkins or Rhyan shift to center, where does 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan play? Banks has no experience at center.
The Packers needed to upgrade their offensive line, but they typically prefer to add versatility. At the price they are paying, Green Bay needs Banks to start at guard. That immediately pushes one of the two starters out of the job while adding uncertainty to Morgan's role. He played almost exclusively at guard last season.
It will be interesting to see how it shakes out, and it's never a bad idea to add an offensive lineman. Overpaying is part of the game on Day 1 of free agency, but the Packers' decision to sign Banks leaves them with more questions than answers.