The Green Bay Packers understood the need to strengthen the interior offensive line in the offseason, leading to Josh Myers' inevitable departure.
Every move beyond that made little sense. Instead of finding a replacement for Myers at center, the Packers overpaid to land left guard Aaron Banks on a $77 million contract. That forced them to move Elgton Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowler at left guard, to the vacated center spot.
It was difficult to understand the logic at the time, and three weeks into the new season, those fears have turned into a nightmare far worse than expected.
Packers' decision to sign Aaron Banks and move Elgton Jenkins to center is turning into a disaster
Paying Banks $77 million? Eyebrow-raising. Moving a two-time Pro Bowler out of his preferred position? Concerning. Watching the Packers' offensive line implode against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3? Embarrassing.
Jenkins' switch to center couldn't have gone any worse.
The Packers could've lined up with no center, just an empty space, and had more success at slowing down the Browns' pass rush. Jenkins offered little resistance. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed three pressures and two sacks.
Through three weeks, his PFF pass-blocking grade ranks 164th among 228 offensive linemen.
Banks is 208th. Two hundred eighth.
If I tell you the run-blocking grades, do you promise not to throw your phone at the wall? OK, that's your warning. Jenkins is 131st, but Banks, whose strength is supposed to be run-blocking, is 232nd of 240 linemen.
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Banks has also battled with multiple injuries. He missed time at training camp due to a back issue, didn't play in Week 2 due to ankle and groin injuries, and he left Week 3 with another injury.
The Packers had other options. Drew Dalman, the top free-agent center, signed a $42 million deal with the rival Chicago Bears. It never made sense why Green Bay didn't make that move, as it would've upgraded the center position without having to move Jenkins.
Dalman is off to a solid start in Chicago, earning a 71.0 PFF run-blocking grade, good for 39th among all offensive linemen (minimum 20 snaps). He has been less effective in the passing game, ranking 83rd, but that's still miles clear of Banks and Jenkins this season.
Where do the Packers go from here?
They are paying Banks too much money to bench him, and he's locked in as the left guard. That forces Jenkins to remain at center, where it isn't working out. Add in Jordan Morgan's struggles, and the Packers have a serious problem.
Brian Gutekunst has built a championship-ready roster, but it's fair to question some of his biggest decisions along the interior offensive line. He selected Josh Myers one pick before Creed Humphrey, a three-time Pro Bowler and arguably the league's best center.
Gutekunst understood the need to let Myers go in free agency and search for an upgrade, but signing Banks and shifting Jenkins inside? It was an unnecessary risk, and it is quickly spiraling into disaster.
Help isn't on the way. The Packers will have to make it work, but if I were Gutekunst, I'd try to avoid looking at Banks' upcoming cap hits of $24.85 million, $22.25 million, and $20.75 million.