The Green Bay Packers have had a knack this offseason for making things a lot harder than they need to be. First came the Aaron Banks contract that clearly wasn't well-received in the locker room. Then came the wide receiver room dance that sparked a call from Jayden Reed’s agent.
Now, the Jaire Alexander release has put a final stamp on just how strange this stretch has been for a team trying to steady itself.
Green Bay isn’t spiraling out of control or anything, but this offseason hasn’t exactly inspired tons of confidence either. What started with a few eyebrow-raising decisions is now bordering on full-blown reshuffle. And in the middle of all of it is Elgton Jenkins.
It’s not hard to connect the dots here. Jenkins skipped voluntary workouts but showed up to mandatory minicamp this week, as first reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He’s not expected to practice. But the timing couldn't be more obvious.
Elgton Jenkins’ contract standoff just got way more interesting
No practice, but at least he'll be there... but that’s not really the story. The real takeaway is that he's showing up the same week Alexander was cut—right as the Packers opened up $17 million in 2025 cap room and cleared out one of the highest salaries on the roster. It’s hard to see that timing as anything but calculated.
It’s no secret Jenkins wants financial clarity. His contract has no guaranteed money left, and his $24.8 million cap hit in 2026 makes him a likely cut candidate unless something changes. Moving to center may help the team, but it doesn’t help his long-term value unless the deal gets reworked—historically, centers get paid less than guards.
Whether or not the Packers go there, the leverage has shifted. Jenkins has been one of the most reliable and versatile linemen since entering the league in 2019. He’s played just about everywhere. And now, with Alexander gone, the hierarchy of the locker room is starting to reset.
Green Bay hasn’t made a habit of extending players deep into their 30s, but Jenkins believes he's the exception. And with one high-profile contract off the books, it’s clear who views himself next in line for a payday. With him showing up to mandatory camp, it's clear he's playing the leverage game.