Packers leader gives brutally honest assessment of his position group’s play so far, showing where changes must happen fast
Elgton Jenkins knows he has to play better.
The performance versus the Cleveland Browns was fully disappointing for the Green Bay Packers, but no other position unit was more underwhelming than the offensive line. The group gave up 16 pressures, making life much harder for quarterback Jordan Love and running back Josh Jacobs in particular.
Elgton Jenkins, a veteran who moved from left guard to center this season, is the first to admit the performance early this season hasn’t been what it could and should be.
“I feel like I’m playing like (expletive), honestly. I can play way better,” Jenkins said. “Honestly, when I got on the plane after the game and looked at the film, everything [Matt LaFleur] said, I had already said to myself. It wasn’t a good performance on my part or our unit. But we definitely have the guys to go out there every Sunday and compete with whoever, no matter if it’s the number one defense or the number 32 defense in the league. We just have to go out there, have pride in our work, and play to our standard.”
Elgton Jenkins’ key facts and stats
- The center has had career lows in PFF grade (58.5) and pass block grade (51.5).
- Jenkins had already played 369 snaps at center, but it’s the first time he’s a full time player at the position.
- The offensive lineman is under contract through 2026.
Challenges
The Packers have played eight offensive linemen this year through three weeks, tied to the second most in the NFL. Injuries certainly haven’t helped, but Jenkins believes the line has a lot of room for improvement.
“Just make sure everybody is paying attention to the details,” Jenkins added. “The small things add up throughout the week and during game week. The pre-snap penalties, the miscommunication, not communicating on the field and off the field. I feel like that’s going to be key moving forward so we can be the unit we know we’re capable of being.”
For the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, the Packers are still handling some injuries. Right tackle Zach Tom is not expected to play, and left guard Aaron Banks is a question with a groin issue. But Jenkins said whoever is on the field must be ready to perform.
“At the end of the day, this is the NFL and it’s next man up,” Jenkins mentioned. “No matter who’s playing or who’s not, we expect whoever is in that starting five to go out there and play at the level we want to play at in our room.”
Through three games, Elgton Jenkins has given up five pressures—so he’s on pace for 28 in the season, which would be his worst in a single year in the NFL. It’s a big year for his future with the Packers. Next year, his salary jumps from $12.8 million to $20 million, but there are no guarantees left, which makes him a trade, cut, or paycut candidate if the performance doesn’t improve.
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