Latest news with #Jenkins
NBC Sports
11 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Elgton Jenkins focused on becoming a "great" center rather than his contract
Elgton Jenkins wanted a reworked contract for moving from left guard to center, but when it became clear the Packers have no plans to alter his deal, Jenkins said he accepted the move. Jenkins, who skipped the voluntary offseason program, practiced Monday for the first time since his position switch after beginning training camp on the non-football injury list with a back injury. Jenkins said his agent, Damarius Bilbo, spoke to the Packers, and Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports that Bilbo asked about guaranteeing some of the remaining money on the final two years of the deal. 'They had a conversation, and obviously the conversation was going on for a long period of time,' Jenkins said, via Demovsky. 'But right now where we're at is focusing on the being the best player I can be. Been playing this game for 20-some years, seven years in the league. I'm very confident in my ability and what I can do. The financial side, I know that's going to come. Right now, it's just how can we build chemistry within the O-line to get better and as an offense.' Jenkins forfeited a $500,000 workout bonus for skipping the voluntary offseason work. He has non-guaranteed salaries of $11.7 million this season and $18.5 million in 2026, and he said he has no assurances from the Packers about his future. The two-time Pro Bowler will replace center Josh Myers, who left in free agency, with free agent signee Aaron Banks starting at left guard. Jenkins made 16 starts at left guard and one at center last season. 'There was definitely some rust that had to be knocked off,' Jenkins said. 'I'm about to get the ins and outs of things, but I played it in college, got drafted here as a center. It's not going to be anything different. I played it last year, played it a couple games early in my career, so it's not going to be nothing crazy and I feel like I'll to be a great center in this league.'
Fox Sports
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Packers' Elgton Jenkins says he's OK with his position switch and believes he can thrive at center
Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Elgton Jenkins says he doesn't expect the Green Bay Packers to alter his contract before the season to reflect his position switch while adding that he's fine with the move from guard to center. 'Right now, it's just (about) being the best player I can be, being the best teammate,' Jenkins said Monday. 'Like I said, man, I know what I'm going to do this season. I'm confident in my ability, very confident in it. So just going out there playing ball, keep doing what I've been doing and it's going to take care of itself.' Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowl guard, is moving to center after the Packers signed former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Aaron Banks to fill his old spot at left guard. Jenkins will take over for Josh Myers, who was Green Bay's starting center for the past three seasons before signing with the New York Jets in March. The 29-year-old Jenkins practiced on a limited basis Monday for the first time after dealing with a back issue the first few days of training camp. Jenkins said he had hurt his back while lifting weights earlier in the offseason. The back issue also had prevented Jenkins from participating in Green Bay's mandatory minicamp last month, though he was present for it. Jenkins did skip the Packers' organized team activities this offseason, but he said Monday that was because of family concerns rather than any issues over changing positions. 'I'm having changes in my family right now, so I wanted to spend more time with them,' Jenkins said. 'And it so happened that came up, so it was just, like, it was better for me to spend time with my family this offseason.' Jenkins said he had expressed a willingness to move when general manager Brian Gutekunst asked him about the possibility of switching positions. 'When he asked me the first time, I was like, 'Yeah, let me think on it,' ' Jenkins said. 'I thought about it for a little while and he called again and I was like 'Yeah, I'll do it.' ' Jenkins acknowledged his representatives had spoken with Packers officials about how the position switch could impact his future earnings. Jennings has two years remaining on the four-year, $68 million contract extension he signed in December 2022. 'They had a conversation, and obviously the conversation was going on for a long period of time, but right now where we're at is focusing on the being the best player I can be,' Jenkins said. 'Been playing this game for 20-some years, seven years in the league, I'm very confident in my ability and what I can do. The financial side, I know that's going to come. Right now, it's just how can we build chemistry within the O-line to get better and as an offense.' The Packers and Jenkins have reason to believe he can thrive as a center. Jenkins was at center for 26 of his 34 career starts during his college career at Mississippi State. While the 2019 second-round pick has primarily played left guard in the NFL, he also has started four games at center, eight at left tackle and six at right tackle. His most recent start at center came in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 3 of last season when Myers was out with a wrist injury. 'I feel like the sky's the limit, honestly,' Jenkins said. 'I can be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl, same guy — probably even better, honestly. We're just going to see.' ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
Hamilton Spectator
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Packers' Elgton Jenkins says he's OK with his position switch and believes he can thrive at center
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Elgton Jenkins says he doesn't expect the Green Bay Packers to alter his contract before the season to reflect his position switch while adding that he's fine with the move from guard to center. 'Right now, it's just (about) being the best player I can be, being the best teammate,' Jenkins said Monday. 'Like I said, man, I know what I'm going to do this season. I'm confident in my ability, very confident in it. So just going out there playing ball, keep doing what I've been doing and it's going to take care of itself.' Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowl guard, is moving to center after the Packers signed former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Aaron Banks to fill his old spot at left guard. Jenkins will take over for Josh Myers, who was Green Bay's starting center for the past three seasons before signing with the New York Jets in March. The 29-year-old Jenkins practiced on a limited basis Monday for the first time after dealing with a back issue the first few days of training camp. Jenkins said he had hurt his back while lifting weights earlier in the offseason. The back issue also had prevented Jenkins from participating in Green Bay's mandatory minicamp last month, though he was present for it. Jenkins did skip the Packers' organized team activities this offseason, but he said Monday that was because of family concerns rather than any issues over changing positions. 'I'm having changes in my family right now, so I wanted to spend more time with them,' Jenkins said. 'And it so happened that came up, so it was just, like, it was better for me to spend time with my family this offseason.' Jenkins said he had expressed a willingness to move when general manager Brian Gutekunst asked him about the possibility of switching positions. 'When he asked me the first time, I was like, 'Yeah, let me think on it,' ' Jenkins said. 'I thought about it for a little while and he called again and I was like 'Yeah, I'll do it.' ' Jenkins acknowledged his representatives had spoken with Packers officials about how the position switch could impact his future earnings. Jennings has two years remaining on the four-year, $68 million contract extension he signed in December 2022. 'They had a conversation, and obviously the conversation was going on for a long period of time, but right now where we're at is focusing on the being the best player I can be,' Jenkins said. 'Been playing this game for 20-some years, seven years in the league, I'm very confident in my ability and what I can do. The financial side, I know that's going to come. Right now, it's just how can we build chemistry within the O-line to get better and as an offense.' The Packers and Jenkins have reason to believe he can thrive as a center. Jenkins was at center for 26 of his 34 career starts during his college career at Mississippi State. While the 2019 second-round pick has primarily played left guard in the NFL, he also has started four games at center, eight at left tackle and six at right tackle. His most recent start at center came in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 3 of last season when Myers was out with a wrist injury. 'I feel like the sky's the limit, honestly,' Jenkins said. 'I can be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl, same guy — probably even better, honestly. We're just going to see.' ___ AP NFL:
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Packers' Elgton Jenkins says he's OK with his position switch and believes he can thrive at center
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Elgton Jenkins says he doesn't expect the Green Bay Packers to alter his contract before the season to reflect his position switch while adding that he's fine with the move from guard to center. 'Right now, it's just (about) being the best player I can be, being the best teammate,' Jenkins said Monday. 'Like I said, man, I know what I'm going to do this season. I'm confident in my ability, very confident in it. So just going out there playing ball, keep doing what I've been doing and it's going to take care of itself.' Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowl guard, is moving to center after the Packers signed former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Aaron Banks to fill his old spot at left guard. Jenkins will take over for Josh Myers, who was Green Bay's starting center for the past three seasons before signing with the New York Jets in March. The 29-year-old Jenkins practiced on a limited basis Monday for the first time after dealing with a back issue the first few days of training camp. Jenkins said he had hurt his back while lifting weights earlier in the offseason. The back issue also had prevented Jenkins from participating in Green Bay's mandatory minicamp last month, though he was present for it. Jenkins did skip the Packers' organized team activities this offseason, but he said Monday that was because of family concerns rather than any issues over changing positions. 'I'm having changes in my family right now, so I wanted to spend more time with them,' Jenkins said. 'And it so happened that came up, so it was just, like, it was better for me to spend time with my family this offseason.' Jenkins said he had expressed a willingness to move when general manager Brian Gutekunst asked him about the possibility of switching positions. 'When he asked me the first time, I was like, 'Yeah, let me think on it,' ' Jenkins said. 'I thought about it for a little while and he called again and I was like 'Yeah, I'll do it.' ' Jenkins acknowledged his representatives had spoken with Packers officials about how the position switch could impact his future earnings. Jennings has two years remaining on the four-year, $68 million contract extension he signed in December 2022. 'They had a conversation, and obviously the conversation was going on for a long period of time, but right now where we're at is focusing on the being the best player I can be,' Jenkins said. 'Been playing this game for 20-some years, seven years in the league, I'm very confident in my ability and what I can do. The financial side, I know that's going to come. Right now, it's just how can we build chemistry within the O-line to get better and as an offense.' The Packers and Jenkins have reason to believe he can thrive as a center. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Jenkins was at center for 26 of his 34 career starts during his college career at Mississippi State. While the 2019 second-round pick has primarily played left guard in the NFL, he also has started four games at center, eight at left tackle and six at right tackle. His most recent start at center came in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 3 of last season when Myers was out with a wrist injury. 'I feel like the sky's the limit, honestly,' Jenkins said. 'I can be an All-Pro, Pro Bowl, same guy — probably even better, honestly. We're just going to see.' ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
19 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers activating OL Elgton Jenkins off non-football injury list on Monday
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins is being activated from the non-football injury (NFI) list and will participate in individual periods during Monday's practice. Jenkins, who is moving to center for the 2025 season, began training camp on the NFI list and missed the first four practices while recovering from a back injury. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said they will ease Jenkins back into the mix. "Yeah, he'll be limited," LaFleur said Monday. "I think he's just doing individual. We'll build him up." Jenkins, who was the team's starter at left guard in 2024, will move to center this season. Aaron Banks -- the Packers' big free agent addition on offense -- is the new starter at left guard. Jenkins, a two-time Pro Bowler, didn't practice during the offseason workout program and is still hoping for an adjustment to his current contract given his position change and the two years of non-guaranteed money left on the deal. Despite the contractual issues, the Packers insisted Jenkins had a legitimate back injury and wasn't holding in to start training camp. Elsewhere along the offensive line, the Packers had a recent injury scare with Banks, who missed a practice last week after suffering a minor back injury. He returned in a limited capacity but didn't do team periods on Sunday. Like Jenkins, the Packers will be careful with Banks as he returns from injury. "He's a vet. We want to make sure he doesn't set himself back. There's a lot of communication going on in terms of how he's feeling and the plan we have for him, so I'd say it's going to be pretty fluid," LaFleur said of Banks. Once healthy and ready for full participation, Jenkins and Banks can rejoin the first-team offensive line and give the position group a chance to build cohesion before the start of the regular season.
