Latest news with #ElgtonJenkins
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Stats suggest Elgton Jenkins in his prime: Is he right to want contract adjustment?
Stats suggest Elgton Jenkins in his prime: Is he right to want contract adjustment? Elgton Jenkins has been in the spotlight this offseason for various reasons. The Green Bay Packers' most senior offensive lineman is set to move from left guard to center in 2025, taking over for Josh Myers, who departed in free agency. Versatility has always been one of Jenkins' most valuable traits, and he is hoping to parlay the change in role into an updated contract; a situation which is yet to be resolved. But when he has been on the field, what has Jenkins brought to Green Bay? Here is what the stats say about his overall profile since returning from an ACL injury in 2022, mostly playing at left guard: Strengths According to advanced numbers, Jenkins has been one of the most consistently effective pass blockers in the NFL over the last three years. Among qualified guards, he ranks in the 80th percentile in PFF's pass block efficiency (EFF) metric. Even in true pass sets, which are plays without screens, short passes or play action, and are generally more taxing on offensive linemen, Jenkins has excelled, landing in the 70th percentile in EFF compared to his contemporaries. Jenkins ranks in the 75th percentile for sacks allowed per opportunity (SK/OPP), which removes plays involving spikes or penalties. He has allowed just one sack in the last two seasons. Keeping the quarterback clean is the most crucial part of an offensive lineman's job, but allowing them to feel comfortable is also vitally important, and Jenkins has been stingy when it comes to giving up even low quality pressures. He ranks in the 67th percentile in hurries per opportunity (HUR/OPP) since 2022, and allowed less than one hurry per game in 2024. Jenkins has simply been one of the best interior offensive linemen in the NFL when it comes to protecting the quarterback. Weaknesses At least according to the metrics available, Jenkins has no significant weaknesses to his game, which is a huge compliment to his overall ability and consistency. Of the 11 statistics used to build his profile, Jenkins only ranked below average in two of them (more on those later), and neither reached the point of being a legitimate weakness over the last three years as a whole. He is one of the more reliable offensive linemen around. Trending up Even as he approaches age 30, Jenkins has continued to develop his game in recent seasons, improving in a variety of areas, and much of this is likely related to him becoming further removed from the serious knee injury he suffered in 2021. In true pass sets, he went from the 25th percentile in SK/OPP in 2022 to the 86th percentile over the last two years. Jenkins also improved his ranking in HUR/OPP in true pass sets from the 48th percentile in 2023 to the 75th a season ago. He was a stronger pass blocker in 2024 than the previous year by almost every statistical measure. In fact, he was ranked as the best pass blocking guard in the NFL by PFF last season. The Packers incorporated more gap concepts into their run game in 2024, and Jenkins rose to the challenge. After ranking in the 45th percentile in PFF's gap run block grade in 2023, he improved to the 82nd percentile, helping to open holes for Josh Jacobs. Trending down The only two statistics in which Jenkins ranks below average over the last two years are the same ones he has seemingly regressed since 2022. Committing penalties is the weakest part of Jenkins' game, as he ranks in the 36th percentile in penalties per snap over the last three seasons. He graded out in the 58th percentile in 2022; above average, before dropping to the 39th percentile in 2023 and the 11th percentile in 2024. He was flagged ten times last year, which is the highest number since his rookie year and more than his total for 2023 and 2024 combined (nine). Penalties are relatively overrated as a means of evaluating the quality of a player, but they can be massively frustrating and have a real impact on the outcome of a game. Discipline might be something Jenkins needs to work on in 2025 and beyond. This may coincide with the change in emphasis in Green Bay's run game, but Jenkins has actually declined as a zone run blocker since 2022, at least according to PFF's grading. Jenkins ranked in the 82nd percentile in their zone block grade in 2022, which is excellent, but fell to the 40th percentile the following year, and the 10th percentile in 2024, ranking 70th of 78 qualified guards. It will be interesting to see how the transition to center impacts Jenkins' game, but Jenkins appears to be firmly in the prime of his career, and it is understandable he wants an amendment to the contract he signed back in 2022, whether the Packers are willing to oblige is another question.
Reuters
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Disgruntled Packers C Elgton Jenkins at camp, not practicing
June 9 - Packers center Elgton Jenkins plans to attend mandatory minicamp in Green Bay, although participation is an entirely different story, according to multiple reports Monday. Seeking an adjusted contract to reflect the current market for his new position, Jenkins has been distant from the team since the start of the offseason. He's moving from guard to center and while he said last season he's amenable to a move, he wants to be paid for his versatility after logging important snaps at tackle and guard in previous seasons. Jenkins has two years remaining on a four-year, $68 million contract signed in 2022, but none of it is guaranteed. NFL Network reported Monday it's unlikely Jenkins will practice without financial guarantees for injury in his contract. Packers offensive coordinator Andy Stenavich said after the draft Jenkins was on board with the position switch, but ESPN reported Jenkins wants the security of guarantees or a new deal to make the move. At an average annual salary of $17 million per year, Jenkins' current deal would make him the second-highest-paid center in the NFL -- tied with Cam Jurgens (Eagles) -- behind only Chiefs All-Pro Creed Humphrey ($18 million). Jenkins turns 30 in December and bumps inside to make room for free agent addition Aaron Banks to play left guard. The Packers also selected Anthony Belton (54th overall) and seventh-rounder John Williams in their 2025 draft class. Jenkins was a second-round pick in 2019 and played center in college. General manager Brian Gutekunst has shown little interest in extending contracts for players with more than one season left on an existing contract. "We feel he's got a chance to be an All-Pro center. We've talked about it a lot, how versatility plays into our offensive line, and having guys that can move to different spots," Gutekunst said. "And Elgton's one of those guys who can play all five spots, so he's a luxury. I'm excited to see what he can do at center, as well." --Field Level Media
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers OL Elgton Jenkins reporting to mandatory minicamp, unlikely to practice
Packers OL Elgton Jenkins reporting to mandatory minicamp, unlikely to practice Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins is reporting to mandatory minicamp this week but is not expected to practice, according to reporting from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Jenkins, who is transitioning to the center position for 2025, wants a reworked contract and has skipped the rest of the offseason workout program. Players who miss mandatory minicamp are subject to escalating fines across the three days. The Packers' minicamp runs from June 10-12. It can be assumed Jenkins is attending the minicamp to avoid the fines but will not participate to avoid risking a serious injury and jeopardizing the contract negotiations. The Packers signed Aaron Banks to a big deal and let Josh Myers walk in free agency, creating a position change for Jenkins, who has played every offensive line position at the NFL level. But with two years left on his deal, Jenkins is seeking financial assurances from the Packers before moving from guard to a less lucrative position at center. Jenkins has already forfeited a $500,000 bonus for attending the offseason workout program. His base salary is set to be $11.7 million in 2025 and $18.5 million in 2026, but both are non-guaranteed. Jenkins was the team's preferred starter at left guard last season. He received All-Pro votes at guard and has twice been a Pro Bowler while playing guard.
New York Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Why Packers RT Zach Tom is practicing without a contract extension
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Zach Tom thinks he's the NFL's best right tackle when he's on top of his game. That belief may not be factually correct, but it's also not entirely far-fetched. Only Detroit's Penei Sewell and Philadelphia's Lane Johnson received more All-Pro votes at the position last season than Tom, who was voted to the second team by three of 50 media members. Advertisement Tom, a 2022 fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest who turned 26 in March, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He deserves, and will likely get, a hearty extension in Green Bay. He doesn't have one yet, though, but he's still been present at voluntary organized team activities this spring. Center Elgton Jenkins, on the other hand, has not been present. ESPN reported that the two-time Pro Bowler Jenkins, who is switching from left guard to center with the arrival of former 49ers left guard Aaron Banks in free agency, hasn't shown up to voluntary OTAs because he wants more financial security in his current deal to protect himself against a potential future loss of earnings that may accompany the switch to a less lucrative position. Jenkins is perfectly justified in his stance. This isn't to say Tom is right and Jenkins is wrong in their differing approaches amid contract situations, but head coach Matt LaFleur probably appreciates one more than the other, even if he understands both. 'That tells you how much it means to him,' LaFleur said of Tom after Tuesday's practice, adding that he wants every player present but understands this portion of the offseason is voluntary. 'But yeah, that means a lot. I know for me, it means a lot to me.' The Packers rewarded cornerback Jaire Alexander with a record-breaking contract extension in March 2022 even after he missed 13 games the season prior with a shoulder injury. Alexander then made the All-Pro Second Team the following season. The team is no stranger to backing up the Brinks truck for a worthwhile player coming off a significant injury and the decision immediately paying off (what happened later for Alexander is another discussion). General manager Brian Gutekunst knows how much Tom is worth based on the prior three years, but Tom might still be taking a risk by practicing without future financial security. And even if the dollar amount on an extension wouldn't change whether Tom got hurt, he's still sacrificing leverage to get a deal done by showing up to Lambeau Field in May and June. Advertisement Why is he doing it this way, when he'd be perfectly justified in staying away? 'I don't really think it'll do me any good to sit out,' Tom said Tuesday. 'I'm trying not to worry about the contract situation. I'm just trying to do what's best for the team. And being here with the guys, I think that's worth a lot more … the contract situation will take care of itself. So I'm just here working and grinding with the guys. If I wasn't here, I'd probably be somewhere just not doing anything. 'I want to be here, obviously.' When asked if he wanted an extension before the season starts so he doesn't have to think about it during the season, Tom said, 'I'm not going to get into that. I'll just let that take care of itself.' Tom is probably looking at a contract extension worth somewhere in the mid-to-high $20 millions annually. According to Over The Cap, Sewell makes $28 million per year and Johnson $25 million. Third among right tackles is the Chiefs' Jawaan Taylor at $20 million. Tom has yet to make a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, but shutting down Cowboys edge Micah Parsons in the 2023 wild-card round and playing admirably last season at less than 100 percent after returning from a torn pec are just a couple of the reasons to show Tom the money. 'I think he can play any position,' LaFleur said of Tom, who played left tackle and center in college but has found a home at right tackle in Green Bay. 'I think his versatility is one of the things that makes him special. I think he can play all five and there's not a lot of guys that can do that, but I would say that he's got the athleticism. I think he's a very intelligent football player and he's played pretty consistent over the course of the last few years.' Tom didn't want to make excuses, but he said his technique might have suffered last season while playing with a damaged pectoral muscle. He anticipates playing this coming season at 100 percent health and is pushing more weight on his strengthened arm after missing all of OTAs last year. 'Once I came back, I mean, it wasn't perfect, but you're just playing football. You're trying to, at least,' said Tom, who was Pro Football Focus' sixth-best tackle, not just right tackle, in the NFL last season. 'I try not to think about injuries because everybody's going through something.' Advertisement So if Tom is that good without being fully healed from a significant injury, one of the NFL's best tackles and one spot short of an All-Pro nod, what's the next step with or without a new contract? 'I would just say consistency,' Tom said. 'Being a guy that can set the tone during games, being a guy that you can really rely on to block those edge rushers — those elite edge rushers — one-on-one, take them out of the game.' Tom said it's important for him to be recognized as one of the best in the game at his position, though he's not too worried about what those outside 1265 Lombardi Ave. think about his game. It's probably nice, however, when Texans star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. tells ESPN that Tom is the best offensive lineman he's faced. 'It's not like I set a goal to be the 10th-best tackle in the league,' Tom said. 'I just gotta hone in on my technique, being consistent in that, because I think when I'm at my best, I'm the best in the league.' Tom thinks it. Soon enough, he'll be paid like it, too.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 takeaways from Packers OTAs: Updates on Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and more
Organized team activities have begun in Green Bay, with the first practice featuring both rookies and veterans taking place on Wednesday. Here are some takeaways from the first OTA practice open to the media: Two expected and two unexpected absentees Four Packers were not in attendance Wednesday: Jaire Alexander, Tyron Herring, Elgton Jenkins and John Williams. Advertisement The reasons for Herring and Williams' absences are unknown at this point, but Alexander and Jenkins not attending is unsurprising as they handle their respective contract issues. There were more indications this week that Alexander and the Packers could be close to reconciliation, as The Athletic's Matt Schneidman reported the team has offered the All-Pro corner a restructured deal, and that Alexander wants to return to Green Bay this year. Xavier McKinney, who has become a good friend of Alexander's, said 'we would all like him back' when speaking to the media Wednesday, Injury updates The list of those not practicing due to injury was: Warren Brinson, John FitzPatrick, Jadon Janke, MarShawn Lloyd, Jeremiah Martin, Collin Oliver, Nesta Jade Silvera, Quay Walker and Christian Watson. Savion Williams practiced in a red "non-contact" jersey. Advertisement Head coach Matt LaFleur issued a positive update on Watson, claiming the receiver is 'ahead of schedule' in his ACL tear recovery. He said of the other injured players: 'I don't anticipate anything too long term." Jayden Reed provided some background on the injury he suffered in the Wild Card loss to Philadelphia, and it sounds like the issue was quite serious. Reed told the media the shoulder injury was a dislocation and a partially torn labrum, and while he did not have surgery, based on the recovery timetable of four to five months he laid out, with the injury happening in January, it would seem he has only recently fully recovered. Search for 'best five' offensive linemen is underway As has become the standard in Green Bay, there was plenty of rotation along the offensive line on Wednesday, as young players in particular continue to cross-train at various positions. Advertisement With Elgton Jenkins not practicing, Sean Rhyan rotated at both his usual right guard spot and center, with Jacob Monk, the presumed backup center, doing the same. From what LaFleur said post-practice, it sounded like Rhyan filled in at center so the team could split the field in half and essentially run two practices at once. Given LaFleur brought this up unprompted, it would seem this was more a logistical situation than a case of Rhyan truly "competing" at center. Jordan Morgan practiced at left tackle with the second-team offense behind Rasheed Walker, as had been expected, with the team being fairly open about moving him out to his natural left tackle position. Advertisement But he also took some snaps at right guard with the ones, which was again likely due to Jenkins' absence on the interior. Meanwhile, rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton split time between left tackle with twos, and right tackle with the twos and threes. Defensive backfield rotations While it has been tempting to spend the offseason wondering how each player fits into a specific role in Green Bay's defensive backfield, the truth is that it will likely be a fluid situation with plenty of rotation week to week, or even drive to drive. The tone was set in that regard at the first OTA practice, with the Packers staying true to their word that new signing Nate Hobbs would line up both inside and outside. Evan Williams and Javon Bullard rotated with the ones at safety opposite McKinney. Advertisement In a surprising development, newly added Gregory Junior, a former sixth-round pick who has played just one snap of defense since week 14 of 2023, got some time with the first-team defense in the nickel. Matthew Golden makes an impression Rookie first-round pick Golden was smooth in running his routes Wednesday, and looked the part of a first-rounder. He took some snaps with the ones, which has become less unusual for rookies in Green Bay in recent years, but was nonetheless an encouraging sign for the Packers' premium draft investment. This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 takeaways from Packers OTAs: Updates on Watson, Golden and more
