Tag: Elgton Jenkins

Healthy and back at left guard, Packers OL Elgton Jenkins has All-Pro potential in 2023

Elgton Jenkins is healthy and back to playing left guard to open 2023. The two-time Pro Bowler is a legit All-Pro candidate.

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Recovered from a knee injury and now situated back at left guard, Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins should have All-Pro potential during the 2023 season.

Jenkins, a Pro Bowler at guard in 2020, moved back to left guard in Week 7 last season and was excellent to finish the year. Now, he’s getting a full (and healthy) offseason at left guard without the looming possibility of a position change.

“It’s going to be fun, just being able to have a whole season, whole camp working at one position, just perfecting my craft,” Jenkins said earler this summer. “I’m expecting big things from myself.”

Jenkins, a five-position player, started at left tackle in place of David Bakhtiari to open the 2021 season but suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 11. He returned in 2022 but opened the year at right tackle before the Packers re-shuffled the offensive line again and moved Jenkins back to left guard.

It was a revitalizing move for the two-time Pro Bowler.

From Week 7 on, Jenkins played 621 snaps over 10 games at left guard. He allowed only five pressures and one sack. Of the 60 NFL players that played at least 600 snaps at guard over the final 12 weeks, Jenkins was one of only three to allow five or fewer pressures, joining All-Pro Chris Lindstrom and Will Hernandez.

During the first five games at right tackle, Jenkins gave up 12 pressures. After his switch back to left guard, he gave up only the five.

There should be no worry about another position change. The Packers have both Zach Tom and Yosh Nijman available at tackle, providing sufficient options should something happen on either side of the offensive line. Rasheed Walker, Caleb Jones and Luke Tenuta are developmental players who will get opportunities to fill important backup roles at tackle. Jenkins, meanwhile, can focus on what is arguably his best position of the five along the offensive line.

In 2023, Jenkins will combine with five-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari to provide arguably the best left side of the offensive line in football for first-year starting quarterback Jordan Love. To the right of the pair, Josh Myers will enter what should be his third-consecutive season as the starter at center, Jon Runyan Jr. remains rock solid at right guard and is entering a contract year, and both Tom and Nijman have starting experience and the opportunity to make a leap as a starter at right tackle.

Add it all up, and the Packers offensive line should be a strength in 2023. If nothing else, there should be valuable continuity up front that lacked in 2022. Four of the five starters look settled, including Jenkins at left guard. If the left side is dominant and the young players on the right side take a step forward, Love should be playing behind an excellent offensive line (especially in pass protection) during his first season.

Given the recovery of his knee and comfort of playing left guard, Jenkins must be considered one of the Packers’ best bets for postseason recognition entering 2023.

Elgton Jenkins on playing next to David Bakhtiari: ‘We want to be the best left side in the NFL’

When healthy and playing on the left side in 2022, Elgton Jenkins and David Bakhtiari were a dominant duo.

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Green Bay Packers left guard Elgton Jenkins wants to team up with left tackle David Bakhtiari to create the best left side of the offensive line in the National Football League.

“Just talking to Dave yesterday, talking about how we want to be the best left side in the NFL. Just us being able to play together, build on what we were building on, that’s going to be key,” Jenkins said Wednesday.

Both are healthy to start the 2023 season after dealing with significant knee injuries in 2021 and 2022.

Having Jenkins and Bakhtiari both available on the left side could be huge for a team transitioning to Jordan Love at quarterback and with young players at receiver and tight end.

“It’s going to play a big part of us as a team moving forward,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins returned to the left side after beginning the 2022 season as the starting right tackle. After moving back to guard, where he was an All-Pro in 2020, Jenkins returned to form and had dominant stretches to end the season.

Bakhtiari gave up only 10 pressures in 11 games at left tackle. Jenkins allowed only five total pressures over the final 10 games after switching to left guard. During the first five at right tackle, he gave up 12.

It sounds like left guard will be his permanent home for 2023.

“It’s going to be fun, just being able to have a whole season, whole camp working at one position, just perfecting my craft,” Jenkins said. “I’m expecting big things from myself.”

Packers OL Elgton Jenkins named to 2023 Pro Bowl

Packers OL Elgton Jenkins replaced Landon Dickerson on the Pro Bowl roster.

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins has been named to the Pro Bowl Games, the team announced Monday. Originally named a first alternate, Jenkins will replace Landon Dickerson on the NFC’s roster after the Philadelphia Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl on Sunday.

This is Jenkins’ second Pro Bowl nomination, the first coming in 2020. Jenkins recovered from an ACL injury to start in 15 games this season.

Since being drafted in the second round in 2019, Jenkins has proven to be one of the most versatile linemen in the NFL. Five of his starts in 2022 came at right tackle, with the other 10 coming at left guard. He was an integral part of an offensive line that finished seventh in sacks allowed this season. On December 23, 2022, he signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension to keep him in Green Bay through the 2026 season.

Jenkins struggled some when he was at tackle, but returned to form when he was moved back to guard. According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins allowed three sacks in 562 pass-blocking snaps. He allowed only one pressure in Green Bay’s final seven games.

Jenkins joins corner Jaire Alexander as the only two Packers to be named to this year’s Pro Bowl.

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Where does Elgton Jenkins’ new contract rank among NFL offensive linemen?

The Packers paid Elgton Jenkins like an elite player, regardless of the position he plays along the offensive line.

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The Green Bay Packers signed offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins to a four-year contract extension on Friday. The deal is worth $68 million and includes a signing bonus of $24 million, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Where does the new contract rank among NFL offensive linemen?

Jenkins’ $17 million per year average sits at 13th among all offensive line positions and second among guards, trailing only Quinten Nelson ($20 million per year). Overall, he trails Trent Williams ($23 million), David Bakhtiari ($23 million), Laremy Tunsil ($22 million), Nelson, Ronnie Staley ($19.7 million), Ryan Ramczyk ($19.2 million), Brian O’Neil ($18.5 million), Jake Matthews ($18.3 million), Lane Johnson ($18 million), Kolton Miller ($18 million), Cam Robinson ($17.6 million) and Braden Smith ($17.5 million).

Among Packers players, Jenkins’ $17 million per year will only trail Aaron Rodgers, Bakhtiari, Jaire Alexander and Kenny Clark, who all received new, record-breaking deals in recent years.

Jenkins’ $24 million signing bonus ranks fourth among all offensive linemen and once again trails Nelson ($31 million) among guards.

Because of the prorated signing bonus included in the deal, expect Jenkins’ new contract to be structured with the aim of a smaller cap hit in early years with ballooning cap hits in later years.

There’s little doubt about it: the Packers paid Jenkins like an elite player. And it doesn’t really matter what position along the offensive line he plays moving forward.

The Packers believe Jenkins can play all five positions, including both offensive tackle spots. He started the 2022 season at right tackle but struggled, prompting a move back inside to left guard, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2020. Since the move, Jenkins has been excellent once again. In fact, Jenkins was named a first alternate for the Pro Bowl this week.

General manager Brian Gutekunst drafted Jenkins in the second round of the 2019 draft. Over his four-year NFL career, Jenkins has played 524 snaps at left tackle, 2,081 snaps at left guard, 297 at center, one at right guard and 372 at right tackle.

“We are very excited to be able to come to an agreement that keeps Elgton with the Packers,” Gutekunst said in a press release. “Since the moment he walked into the building, Elgton has been a core member of this franchise while displaying an uncommon versatility, unselfishness and toughness. He’s a tremendous leader and teammate and he has earned everything that has come to him.”

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Packers sign guard Elgton Jenkins to four-year extension

The #Packers guard got paid just in time for Christmas, securing a four-year contract worth up to $74 million.

The Green Bay Packers made a huge investment in the future of their offensive line on Friday just before the Christmas holiday, signing star guard Elgton Jenkins to a four-year extension worth up to $74 million, according to NFL Network national insider Ian Rapoport.

Jenkins, a second-round pick in 2019, was playing out the final year of his rookie deal in 2022.

The deal will make Jenkins the second-highest-paid guard in the league and ensure he’s playing along the offensive line in Green Bay for years to come. Regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers returns or retires, protection up-front will continue to be a key factor in Green Bay’s success, and Jenkins will be a big part of that for a long time after signing this deal.

Jenkins tore his ACL during the 2021 season but returned to start 2022. He began the season at right tackle but struggled, so the Packers moved him back inside to left guard, where he’s once again been a dominant player.

Jenkins was named a first alternate to the Pro Bowl in 2022.

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Packers OL Elgton Jenkins inactive vs. Bills

The Packers won’t have starting left guard Elgton Jenkins or starting receiver Allen Lazard on Sunday night against the Bills.

The Green Bay Packers can’t catch a break along the offensive line during the 2022 season.

Elgton Jenkins, who moved back to left guard last week, is inactive against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. The Packers listed him as questionable on the final injury report on Friday.

Per the team, Jenkins is inactive due to a foot injury, not because of his surgically repaired knee.

Jenkins started five games at right tackle before moving to left guard during the Packers’ loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 7.

Jenkins had played 100 percent of the offense’s snaps over the last six weeks.  It’s unclear who will start at left guard in his place, but rookie Zach Tom – the starter at left tackle last week – could be the top option.

The Packers are getting back left tackle David Bakhtiari, who is officially active after missing last week’s loss. He was listed as questionable but will play.

Receiver Christian Watson and edge rusher Rashan Gary are also active against the Bills.

Packers inactives

WR Allen Lazard
OL Elgton Jenkins
CB Shemar Jean-Charles
OLB Jonathan Garvin
OL Luke Tenuta
DL Jonathan Ford

Lazard was ruled out on Friday because of a new shoulder injury. So was Jean-Charles, a core special teamer who has an ankle injury.

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David Bakhtiari’s situation may thwart Packers’ plan to move Elgton Jenkins back to left guard

The Packers’ plan to reconfigure the offensive line in Week 7 might be thwarted with David Bakhtiari’s injury situation back in play.

An unexpected injury situation involving left tackle David Bakhtiari may thwart the Green Bay Packers’ plan to move Elgton Jenkins back to left guard on Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Packers had planned to “retool” the offensive line, with Jenkins – who had started five games at right tackle – moving back to left guard, the position where he was a Pro Bowler in 2020. But Bakhtiari is now questionable to play after a flare-up with his surgically-repaired knee, meaning the shake-up along the offensive line might have to wait.

In moving Jenkins to left guard, the Packers likely would have started Yosh Nijman at right tackle. But Nijman is also the primary backup behind Bakhtiari, and he’d need to start at left tackle if Bakhtiari can’t go on on Sunday.

It’s unclear how the offensive line would look if Bakhtiari is unavailable, but a starting five of Nijman at left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. at left guard, Josh Myers at center and Jenkins at right tackle would be expected, with either Royce Newman or rookie Zach Tom at right guard.

Jenkins has been up and down at right tackle since returning from ACL surgery. Many, including former Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, have suggested moving him back to guard.

Last week, the Packers gave up four sacks and nine quarterback hits on Aaron Rodgers, and Jenkins committed three penalties.

Inactives will be announced 90 minutes before kickoff, so more should be known once the Packers have an idea if Bakhtiari will play. Even if Bakhtiari starts, would the Packers risk moving everyone around if Nijman might be needed in a pinch at left tackle? There are a lot of moving parts here. Bakhtiari’s unpredictable knee is continuing to cause a ripple effect as the Packers attempt to find the best starting five for the offensive line.

Bryan Bulaga thinks Packers should move Elgton Jenkins back to left guard

In Bryan Bulaga’s opinion, the Packers should move Elgton Jenkins back to left guard and then start some combination of Jon Runyan, Yosh Nijman or Zach Tom on the right side.

Bryan Bulaga, who played under Matt LaFleur and Adam Stenavich in Green Bay during the 2019 season, has an idea for helping fix the Packers offensive line moving forward: move Elgton Jenkins back to left guard.

Bulaga provided his opinion on the situation during an appearance on ESPN’s “Wilde and Tausch” show.

“If it’s me, I’m looking to move Elgton right back next to Dave (Bakhtiari), where he’s had his most success at left guard,” Bulaga said. “Then probably move (Jon) Runyan out to right guard, then who you put at right tackle, whether it’s Yosh (Nijman) or rookie Zach Tom.”

Jenkins, who is still coming back from a torn ACL suffered last season, has started the last five games at right tackle, a relatively new position for the 2020 Pro Bowler.

Although Jenkins has been dominant at times in the run game, his struggles in the passing game – especially this past week against the New York Jets – might tempt the Packers to shuffling around the offensive line. Jenkins has allowed 12 pressures and committed three penalties in just over 300 snaps.

Coach Matt LaFleur said “everything” is on the table in terms of offensive line configuration.

In 2020, Jenkins was a Pro Bowler while playing primarily at left guard next to Bakhtiari, an All-Pro. Could a switch back to guard revive his season and immediately improve the Packers offensive line?

“That’s what I would do because I know Elgton, and I know how good of a player he is, and to see him struggle a little bit, that’s not like him,” Bulaga said.

Bulaga, who is currently a free agent, admitted switching side of the offensive line is difficult. Moving Jenkins to the left side while inserting Runyan and Nijman on the right side would require a lot of moving parts in a short timespan.

And to do so against Washington’s “nightmare” defensive front, featuring the likes of Montez Sweat and Jonathan Allen, would be a “tough task,” Bulaga said. Runyan has settled in as the starter at left guard over the last two seasons, and most of Nijman’s work has come at left tackle as the backup for Bakhtiari, so asking both to flip in the same week could be extra difficult.

But the Packers need to make a change, both to help Jenkins and remove the obvious weak link at right guard.

The current configuration isn’t working. The Packers are really over-reactionary, but now is the time. At 3-3, LaFleur’s team can’t afford to throw away any more games, and the play of the offensive line is holding back the entire offense. Change could be coming.

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Packers RT Elgton Jenkins enjoys best performance of season against Giants

Packers RT Elgton Jenkins, in his fourth game back in the lineup, played his best game of 2022.
Adam Stenavich: “I think this was his best game just physically, running, setting, coming off the ball.”

In Elgton Jenkins’ fourth game back following his return from an ACL injury, the Green Bay Packers starting right tackle put together what was easily his best performance of the season against the New York Giants.

Jenkins’ 2022 debut came in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, in a game that Matt LaFleur said the team wouldn’t have won without Jenkins back in the mix.

However, despite the high praise, Jenkins allowed a team-high three pressure that week, according to PFF. He would then allow three pressures against Tampa Bay and another three against New England – all team highs each week.

Against both speed and power, Jenkins was taking some lumps in pass protection. For what it’s worth, Jenkins ranked 60th out of 71 eligible offensive tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking grade during that three-game span.

Naturally, there was some rust to shake off, as this has been his first game action since his injury in Week 11 of last season.

There is also something to be said for playing right tackle, a position that Jenkins had only taken 32 snaps at prior to this season and on the side of the offensive line that he had rarely stepped on. The majority of Jenkins’ playing time with Green Bay prior to this season came at left guard or left tackle. As former Packer Josh Sitton once pointed out, switching sides of the offensive line is like “trying to wipe your ass with the opposite hand.”

But this past week, when facing New York, Jenkins had what offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich called his best game of the season, allowing no pressures against the blitz-heavy Giants front seven that ranks sixth in pressure rate in 2022–although the Packers’ quick passing game aided Jenkins and the rest of the offensive line.

“He played better,” said Stenavich on Thursday. “I think this was his best game just physically, running, setting, coming off the ball. He’s looked the best he has all year. I’m encouraged by that. I’m excited by that. Hopefully, every week he keeps improving on that.”

Even with Jenkins’ ups and downs in pass protection, the Packers have run the ball often to his side, where he has fared well as a run blocker. Out of 124 total rushing attempts between Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, 73 have gone to the right side, with both backs finding success.

Jones has posted 80 rushing yards on 12 attempts (6.6 yards per rush) when running at Jenkins and Dillon 76 yards on 18 attempts (4.2 yards per rush). Jenkins currently ranks sixth among all offensive tackles in run blocking grade.

There are still questions on whether the current starting offensive line configuration will be the same five at season’s end. Royce Newman has had some rocky performances at right guard, and any potential changes also hinge on Jenkins’ play along with Yosh Nijman’s ability to play right tackle. Similarly to Jenkins, Nijman has no NFL experience on the right side.

With that said, this combination of players appears to be the go-to option for the Packers at this time. While there is a lot of focus on the Green Bay passing game and their run-pass mix, at the end of the day, this offense is only going to go as far as the offensive line takes them.

Packers considering playing Yosh Nijman at right tackle

The team’s confidence in Nijman and some recent struggles from Elgton Jenkins at right tackle could mean a lineup swap for the Packers offensive line at some point in the future.

In an effort to get the five best starting offensive linemen on the field together, the Green Bay Packers are considering starting backup left tackle Yosh Nijman at right tackle moving forward.

“Potentially, that’s something we’ve definitely talked about,” coach Matt LaFleur said Monday. “We’ll continue to do the best job we can in terms of repping these guys at practice. That is definitely something we’ve talked about, but haven’t made any decision about that yet.”

Having Nijman start at right tackle would give Elgton Jenkins a chance to move back inside to guard, where he was a Pro Bowler in 2020.

Nijman started eight games last season and then the first two games of this season at left tackle, but the return of David Bakhtiari – a five-time All-Pro – has provided the Packers with some flexibility in terms of moving Nijman around.

LaFleur confirmed the team has given reps to Nijman at right tackle. He played the position in college at Virginia Tech.

Bakhtiari played 70 of 73 snaps and all but one series during the Packers’ win over the New England Patriots. Nijman played three snaps but was questionable going into the game with an illness.

LaFleur said the plan was to play Bakhtiari two series and then one series off – with Nijman rotating in – on Sunday, but that changed after two quarters.

“We got into halftime and Dave said, ‘I’m going,'” LaFleur said.

Jenkins has allowed two sacks and nine total pressures over his first three games as a starter at right tackle since coming back from a torn ACL. On Sunday, Matthew Judon beat him for a third-down sack and later ended the team’s first drive in overtime with an immediate pressure on third down.

It’s possible the Packers could go with Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan Jr., Josh Myers, Jenkins and Nijman as the starting five at some point this season. In this scenario, Royce Newman – the current starter at right guard – would get moved out of the lineup.

Nijman has allowed five pressures over 95 pass-blocking snaps this season.

“We have a lot of confidence in Yosh and his ability to go out there and perform at a high level,” LaFleur said.

The Packers are still considering Nijman as a rotational player with Bakhtiari at left tackle – LaFleur called it a “fluid, week to week type deal” – so there could be limitations to moving Nijman to right tackle full time.

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