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Rob Demovsky
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Elgton Jenkins wished his transfer from left guard to heart to return with monetary advantages, however now that he is aware of the Inexperienced Bay Packers aren’t going to do something about that within the close to future, he has accepted it and is able to put together for his new spot.
Jenkins, who skipped the whole voluntary portion of the offseason program, practiced Monday for the primary time for the reason that place change grew to become a actuality in March. He had begun coaching camp on the non-football harm checklist due to a again difficulty he developed whereas figuring out on his personal within the offseason however was activated shortly earlier than apply.
Although Jenkins confirmed he hoped for a reworked contract, which sources mentioned was aimed toward guaranteeing a few of the remaining cash on the ultimate two years of his deal, now that it did not get achieved he mentioned he is prepared to pay attention solely on taking part in heart after making a pair of Professional Bowls primarily as a left guard in his first six NFL seasons.
“That they had a dialog, and clearly the dialog was happening for an extended time period,” Jenkins mentioned of his agent, Damarius Bilbo, and the Packers. “However proper now the place we’re at is specializing in the being the perfect participant I will be. Been taking part in this sport for 20-some years, seven years within the league. I am very assured in my skill and what I can do. The monetary facet, I do know that is going to return. Proper now, it is simply how can we construct chemistry inside the O-line to get higher and as an offense.”
Jenkins forfeited a $500,000 exercise bonus for skipping the offseason program. He has two years left on the four-year, $68 million contract extension he signed in December 2022. That deal has non-guaranteed base salaries of $11.7 million this season and $18.5 million in 2026. He mentioned he has gotten no assurances that the Packers will rework his contract.
The place transfer happened after the Packers determined to let final yr’s heart, Josh Myers, depart in free company. In the meantime, they signed free agent Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million contract to play left guard.
Jenkins has performed each place on the offensive line since he got here into the NFL as a second-round decide of the Packers in 2019. He began 16 video games at left guard and one at heart final season.
“There was undoubtedly some rust that needed to be knocked off,” Jenkins mentioned after apply. “I am about to get the ins and outs of issues, however I performed it in faculty, received drafted right here as a middle. It isn’t going to be something totally different. I performed it final yr, performed it a pair video games early in my profession, so it isn’t going to be nothing loopy, and I really feel like I will be an ideal heart on this league.”
