Elgton Jenkins: The Packers’ Unsung Hero Making a Bold Move to Center in 2025
Green Bay Packers fans, buckle up — 2025 is going to be a pivotal year for the offensive line. At the heart of it all? Elgton Jenkins, the multi-talented lineman who’s quietly become one of the NFL’s most valuable and versatile players. And now, he’s moving to center.
That’s right. After proving himself as a rock-solid left guard and earning two Pro Bowl selections in the process (2020, 2022), Jenkins is officially sliding into the center position for the upcoming season. But here’s the thing — this move isn’t just about depth or necessity. It’s strategic, and the Packers are betting big on Jenkins anchoring the line in the middle.
🧠 A Smart, Tough, Do-It-All Lineman
Talk to any coach or coordinator around the league, and they’ll echo the same sentiment: Jenkins is one of the most underrated offensive linemen in football. He’s played every position across the line — left guard, center, both tackle spots, and even right guard. Not many players can say that, and even fewer can say they’ve excelled at all five.
“He can play anywhere,” one NFL coordinator told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “Tough, physical, smart.” That’s high praise from someone inside the game, and it’s backed up by the fact that one voter in Fowler’s ranking even pegged Jenkins as the No. 2 interior lineman in the entire league.
📊 Ranking Among the Best (Again)
This season marks the second consecutive year Jenkins has cracked the top 10 in ESPN’s annual interior offensive linemen rankings, based on votes from coaches, scouts, and league execs. In 2024, he landed at No. 10 while playing left guard. Now, moving to center, he’s climbed up to No. 9 overall.
Let that sink in — he switched positions and is still one of the top-ranked interior linemen in football. That kind of consistency, especially across positions, speaks volumes.
🧱 The Packers’ New Interior Wall: Banks + Jenkins
Green Bay’s front office made a splash this offseason when they signed former 49ers guard Aaron Banks in free agency. Banks is stepping in to take over Jenkins’ old spot at left guard. That gave the Packers flexibility to finally commit to Jenkins as their starting center — a move many fans and insiders saw coming.
This isn’t new territory for him either. Jenkins played center extensively at Mississippi State, and he’s had several snaps at the position in the NFL, including a start last season. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst is bullish on the move. “We feel he has a chance to be an All-Pro center,” he said back in March.
💰 Contract Complications Loom
Of course, this wouldn’t be a modern NFL story without some contract drama. Jenkins is set to turn 30 this December and only has two years remaining on his current deal. And here’s the kicker: playing center — while critical — doesn’t usually carry the same payday as tackle or even guard.
That creates a tough situation for the Packers front office. Jenkins skipped this offseason’s workouts as he negotiates a restructured deal, and the team must weigh the risks of giving long-term guaranteed money to a player approaching 30 while also recognizing just how vital Jenkins is to their offensive success.
🤝 Time to Meet in the Middle
It's no secret that Green Bay needs Jenkins at center to hold things down. With a young quarterback and new faces across the offense, having a seasoned veteran with his football IQ snapping the ball is a massive advantage. Jenkins is essentially the quarterback of the offensive line now — calling protections, reading blitzes, and keeping the unit aligned.
So, what’s the holdup?
The Packers will need to find some middle ground. While locking Jenkins in for several more years could come with risk, letting this season unfold with contract tension could be worse. One thing’s clear: both sides need to come to terms before Week 1.
🌟 Pro Bowl Pedigree and All-Pro Votes
Let’s not gloss over his resume. Jenkins has been to two Pro Bowls and received 10 All-Pro votes just last year while playing left guard. He’s not just filling in at these positions — he’s dominating them. He’s the type of player that sets the tone in the trenches and brings a nasty streak to the game that coaches love.
Even in a league full of specialized athletes, Jenkins is one of the few who can truly plug-and-play at any spot on the line. That flexibility is priceless, especially when injuries pile up during a long season.
🎯 What This Means for the Packers’ 2025 Outlook
The Packers have been a team on the edge — not quite a full rebuild, but also not the powerhouse of the Aaron Rodgers era. Getting the offensive line right is a top priority, especially with young playmakers at skill positions.
With Banks at left guard and Jenkins at center, Green Bay might finally have the interior line stability it’s been craving. If the line holds up, it’ll give the offense the time and space it needs to make plays — and keep their quarterback upright.
🔥 Key Takeaways:
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🧠 Jenkins is considered one of the smartest, most versatile linemen in the NFL.
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📈 Ranked No. 9 among all interior offensive linemen in ESPN’s preseason list.
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🛡️ Started at every offensive line position in the NFL — a rare feat.
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💪 Moving to center for 2025 after years at guard.
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🤑 Contract renegotiation in progress as he enters his age-30 season.
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🤝 Both sides need to find common ground before Week 1 kicks off.
🏁 Final Thoughts
In a league where versatility is gold and durability is rare, Elgton Jenkins is both. His move to center might not make front-page headlines like a flashy receiver or quarterback, but it could be the single most important shift the Packers make this year.
Green Bay needs him. The locker room trusts him. And the league is finally starting to recognize just how good he is.
Whether they get the contract figured out or not, one thing’s for sure — Elgton Jenkins will show up, strap in, and bulldoze defenders like he always has. And if things go right, he just might end up an All-Pro center by season’s end.
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