The Green Bay Packers‘ season unravelled in the most egregious way possible after the loss of Micah Parsons in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos.
But it was not just the defensive line that was responsible for the team’s late season collapse. All year long the Packers’ offensive line had failed to live up to the franchise’s historical ability to maintain top-10, and often top-5 play at the position for the past two-plus decades.
And part of that was down to the flop of the Packers’ 4 year, $77 million signing of former San Francisco 49ers guard, Aaron Banks, whose first season was marred by penalties and inconsistency; play that did not even start to justify the $19.25 million/year price point Green Bay spent on him back in March 2025.
With Green Bay currently over $4 million over the cap, the team will no doubt have multiple tough decisions to make on the roster, and one of them could be to cut Banks.
Packers Told To Consider Cutting Offensive Lineman
Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day podcast notes that despite it seeming like there is not much incentive for GB to move off Banks this March, it could be a far more financially prudent move than initially realized.
“Would you sign Aaron Banks to a one-year – $18.1 million deal if he were a free agent?” Herman posted on X, underneath a screenshot of Banks’ contract payout for the next three years. “If the answer is no then he should be cut. It’s a simple cut & dry question. The answer is no, but my guess is he stays another year and I think it’ll be a mistake.”
The Packers only save $4.6 million in 2026 cap space by parting ways with the 2021 second round pick. But if they decide to keep him on for the year, they lose the $4.6 million in cap savings, and then have to incur an additional $13.5 million in dead cap hit to cut him.
So, as Herman states, his contract in 2026 is effectively worth one year, $18 million deal, with the cap hit spread out over 2026 and 2027.
And considering his below-par play in 2026, Herman believes it would be in Green Bay’s best interests to move off him and use that cap space to resign one of their multiple pending free agents over the next two seasons.
Will Green Bay Move Off Aaron Banks In 2026?
The answer is not immediately obvious. There is no doubt that the Packers’ front office understands the financials of the Banks deal and the opportunity cost of keeping him around another season.
But there are two main obstacles standing in the way:. 1.) General manager, Brian Gutekunst, would be reluctant to concede defeat on what was a marquee signing just a year ago. 2.) The Packers do not have an immediate replacement lined up.
Green Bay view 2024 first round pick, Jordan Morgan as a tackle, not a guard, long term – so it would figure that the team will likely not re-sign current penalty-prone LT, Rasheed Walker. The Packers can also save a cool $20 million if they cut Elgton Jenkins this offseason, which considering the play of Sean Rhyan at center in his stead should be an easy decision.
So if Rhyan signs a new deal and Morgan moves to left tackle, there is still a gaping hole at guard that would need to be filled by one of Donovan Jennings, Jacob Monk, Lecitus Smith or rookie seventh round pick, John Williams – unless they turn to the overpriced free agent market once again.
But if Green Bay finds a deal for plug-and-play guy at left guard, or trusts one of their young up-and-comers more than the fans realize, Banks’ time in the Midwest could soon be up.
Packers Urged To Cut Free Agent Signing After Just One Season