It always felt inevitable. Now, it's just a matter of time.
The Green Bay Packers must rework their offensive line, but the first order of business is to determine who will and won't be back. Elgton Jenkins' sky-high $24.3 million cap hit makes him one of the most obvious cut candidates this offseason, and it now seems like a matter of when, not if, the Packers release him.
While listing the team's biggest offseason needs ahead of free agency, Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated noted that there is "almost a 0 percent chance" that Jenkins will return to Green Bay.
The Packers will likely release Elgton Jenkins before the start of the new league year (and it's the right call)
Jenkins has enjoyed a fantastic career in Green Bay, earning two Pro Bowl selections and starting across the line when required, but it's almost certainly over. His cap hit is far too high, and releasing him would create $19.53 million, easily the Packers' highest available cap-saving move.
The veteran provided rock-solid, Pro Bowl-level performances at left guard throughout his seven-year stay with the Packers, but not so much recently. While many blame the shift from guard to center as the reason for Jenkins' drop in performances, in reality, it started a year earlier.
In 2024, Jenkins maintained a high level in pass protection, but his run blocking regressed. The same continued this season. His PFF run-blocking grades this and last season ranked as the second- and third-worst of his career, respectively.
His pass blocking also took a step back in 2025. According to PFF, Jenkins allowed more sacks (2) in nine games this season than in the previous two seasons combined (1).
Add in that Jenkins will enter his age-31 season in 2026, is coming off a significant injury, and has a significant cap hit with almost $20 million available by moving on, and it's an inevitable move.
The Packers may wait until the start of the new league year to make it official, but it won't be surprising if they move on a few days earlier out of respect for Jenkins, giving him time to get ahead of the free agency market.
Many other teams could show interest, especially if they can sign Jenkins to a more team-friendly contract than his current deal in Green Bay. The Arizona Cardinals, now led by Matt LaFleur's brother, Mike, and with Nathaniel Hackett as their new offensive coordinator, would make a lot of sense.