First, the Green Bay Packers handed Aaron Banks a staggering $77 million in free agency, which was viewed immediately as a massive overpay.
Second, despite Banks enduring a rough first season in green and gold, the Packers doubled down on their decision and dramatically increased the risk by restructuring his contract. They could've released Banks, but the restructure makes it almost certain he'll remain on the roster for another two years.
And here we are, one month away from the season opener. Banks is still working his way back from injury, and head coach Matt LaFleur admitted he might not even get his starting job back.
Fifth-round rookie Jager Burton continues to impress no matter where he lines up. He offers three-position versatility, although most of his work this summer has come at left guard with Banks sidelined.
While speaking to reporters on Friday, LaFleur was asked whether Burton has done enough to take the job from Banks full-time.
"I think he's going to make it extremely difficult. Jager has done a really good job. Not only him, but Monk," said LaFleur. "(Banks) hasn't been out there, so it's hard to say."
Hmm. That's hardly a ringing endorsement for the left guard you handed $77 million and effectively can't cut until 2028.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur admits Aaron Banks could remain on the bench this season
OK, then.
To be clear, Banks' contract mess aside, Burton absolutely deserves the opportunity. More on that in a moment. First, we need to talk about Banks and his role moving forward.
I'm just going to say what so many Packers fans are feeling: What on earth was Brian Gutekunst doing?!
The contract Green Bay handed Banks in March 2025 screamed overpay. The Packers were paying top-of-the-market money for a guard who had produced average-level play for the San Francisco 49ers. He then endured a disappointing, injury-plagued season. His performances fell well short of expectations even when healthy.
Per Spotrac, Banks' $19.25 million salary makes him the ninth-highest-paid guard in the NFL. That doesn't align with his performance. Pro Football Focus handed Banks a 53.5 overall grade last season, which ranked 64th among 81 qualifying guards. He was 58th in pass protection and 68th in run blocking.
Factoring all that in, Green Bay had an opportunity (albeit an expensive one) to move on from Banks this offseason.
Yes, they would've had to eat $20.25 million in dead cap this year, a cap savings of only $4.6 million, but it would've helped massively over a longer period. The Packers would've saved $18.1 million in cash in 2026, and therefore removed a combined $43 million of cap space over the following two seasons.
Instead, Gutekunst and Russ Ball made it even worse. They restructured Banks' contract to provide short-term cap relief, but that now piles up the future costs.
According to Spotrac, Banks' cap hits will now rise to $25.45 million in 2027 and $23.95 million in 2028. The Packers will lose cap space if they release the veteran next offseason, and they will still pay $16.34 million in dead cap if they move on in 2028.
That's a lot of money for a player not even guaranteed to start this season.
Jager Burton deserves his opportunity to take the Packers' left guard job permanently
Moments after the Packers selected Burton in the fifth round, FanSided's draft expert Mike Luciano said it was "the best pick Packers have made" in the class. There's a reason for that.
It always seemed possible that Burton could compete for a starting job right away, but we assumed it would be center Sean Rhyan under pressure, not Banks at left guard.
Burton has passed every test this summer, including his first NFL game in the Packers' preseason opener. The rookie got the start at left guard and put some impressive snaps on film.
On one play, Burton got a strong push in the run game against Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (who just landed a four-year, $72 million extension, by the way), to open up a wide-open rushing lane for MarShawn Lloyd. Burton had a strong rep in pass protection against defensive end Gabriel Rubio, giving Tyrod Taylor all day in the pocket to attempt a deep shot to Bo Melton.
It will take time and Burton will have his struggles along the way. But his preseason performance showed plenty of promise, which has been a constant theme from the moment Burton arrived in Green Bay.
Banks' injury has allowed Burton to practice with the first-team offense throughout training camp. And based on LaFleur's comments, the rookie may have relegated the Packers' $77 million signing to the bench.
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