Pundits expected veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins to have a market in free agency. That was the expectation around the league despite the fact the Green Bay Packers released the interior lineman with an injury designation.
That proved to be the case, as Jenkins landed with a new team one day after his Packers release.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Cleveland Browns agreed to a 2-year, $24 million contract with Jenkins. The guard will receive $20 million guaranteed.
A day his release from Green Bay, Jenkins heads to Cleveland on a deal negotiated by Damarius Bilbo of @KlutchSports
Jenkins will be part of the significant changes the Browns are making to their offensive line this offseason. Over the last week, Cleveland has added three new linemen.
After news of his signing in Cleveland, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky proposed the possibility of Jenkins moving back to guard next season.
“Did not take long for Jenkins to find a new team after the Packers moved on,” wrote Demovsky.
“Will be interesting to see whether the Browns move him back to guard, where he made his two Pro Bowls.”
Over seven seasons with the Packers, Jenkins made 94 starts. He made most of those starts at left guard.
In 2025, Jenkins played center, but his transition to the position didn’t go well, and he suffered a season-ending injury during Week 10.
During the 2020 and 2022 seasons, Jenkins made the Pro Bowl while playing guard for Green Bay.
Elgton Jenkins Signs With Browns: Report
Jenkins will be part of a revamped Browns offensive line in 2025.
The former Packers second-round pick was the second offensive lineman Cleveland agreed to terms with during the NFL legal tampering period. On Monday, Cleveland added former Los Angeles Chargers guard Zion Johnson on a 3-year, $49.5 million contract.
To begin the month, the Browns acquired veteran offensive tackle Tytus Howard in a trade from the Houston Texans. Cleveland sent a fifth-round pick to Houston in the deal.
It’s unclear where Jenkins will fit with all these new parts in Cleveland. The best place for him would be back at his natural left guard spot.
Jenkins played both guard positions, right tackle and center while in Green Bay. But he excelled the best and has the most experience at left guard.
Packers Opened Cap Space With Jenkins Release
Of the players on Green Bay’s 2026 roster entering the offseason, Jenkins was one of the bigger questions. That’s because he had a $24.3 million cap hit.
The Packers could have explored their own move for Jenkins back to guard. But the team ultimately elected to go for the cap space with his departure.
Green Bay created $19.5 in cap space with Jenkins’s release.
The $20 million guaranteed from Cleveland is a considerable amount for a veteran interior offensive lineman coming off a disappointing campaign. But it’s a small investment compared to what Jenkins received in his last Green Bay extension.
The Packers signed him to a 4-year, $68 million extension in December 2022. At the time, the deal made Jenkins one of the highest-paid guards in NFL history.
Before releasing Jenkins, the Packers re-signed fellow interior offensive lineman Sean Rhyan to a 3-year, $33 million contract Sunday. Rhyan replaced Jenkins in the starting lineup after Jenkins’s injury last season.
Pundits expect Rhyan to start at center in Green Bay next season as well.
Ex-Packers Lineman Elgton Jenkins Finds New Home 1 Day After Release: Report