Former Notre Dame OL surprisingly breaks the bank in free agency, falling just short of another past Fighting Irish standout
Another year, another former Notre Dame offensive lineman breaking the bank in free agency. We are only a day removed from left Ronnie Stanley resigning with the Baltimore Ravens to a tune of three years and $60 million. When Stanley is healthy, which has been a bit rare, he has been a good left tackle […]
Another year, another former Notre Dame offensive lineman breaking the bank in free agency. We are only a day removed from left Ronnie Stanley resigning with the Baltimore Ravens to a tune of three years and $60 million. When Stanley is healthy, which has been a bit rare, he has been a good left tackle in the league.
As is typically the case, starting left tackles are always going to demand a strong market. Stanley getting good money wasn’t much of a surprise. The bigger surprise was seeing former San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Aaron Banks break the bank. He signed with the Green Bay Packers on a 4-year, $77 million contract.
Banks has started 43 games over the last three seasons for the 49ers, including all 13 he played in 2024. The 6-5, 325-pound mauler showed a lot of promise early on in his career with the San Francisco 49ers, but has had his fair share of struggles recently. That included 25 quarterback pressures surrendered this season.
Despite that, the Packers just made Banks the sixth highest paid interior offensive lineman in the NFL in terms of annual salary at $19.25 million. That is just ahead of New England star Michael Onwenu, and right behind former Irish All-American Quenton Nelson.
It’s questionable if that price tag for Banks is worth it, but regardless, it’s good for the Notre Dame reputation. Banks was originally a second round selection by the 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft. He finished his Notre Dame career as a two-year starter.
For the Packers, Banks is expected to start inside at left guard. With the addition, there is going to be a question surrounding second-year pro Jordan Morgan. It’s assumed he will fight to start at right guard with Sean Rhyan but it’s unknown how much he will contribute in 2025. Feels like a potential letdown for a player drafted in the first round just last year.
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