Packers get comforting update right after releasing Jaire Alexander, and it helps ease tension heading into minicamp
The Green Bay Packers weren't able to find a middle ground with cornerback Jaire Alexander, and were ultimately forced to release him. The final call happened on Monday morning, ahead of mandatory minicamp — a soft but impactful deadline, because the Packers didn't want to have an extra injury risk.But not everything is bad news […]
The Green Bay Packers weren't able to find a middle ground with cornerback Jaire Alexander, and were ultimately forced to release him. The final call happened on Monday morning, ahead of mandatory minicamp — a soft but impactful deadline, because the Packers didn't want to have an extra injury risk.
But not everything is bad news ahead of minicamp. Despite being in the middle of a contract dispute of his own with the team, interior offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins will report to mandatory minicamp this week, according to NFL Network's insider Tom Pelissero.
Jenkins is not expected to practice, which is frequently mentioned as a hold in. But he will be in the building for the mandatory part of the offseason after skipping the voluntary work. Missing OTAs will be costly for Jenkins, who had $500k attached to workout attendance. That amount will be credited back to the Packers' salary cap in 2026.
What Jenkins wants
The Packers plan to move Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center. The player is willing to make the move, but he wants more financial security. Jenkins is slated to make $32.8 million over the next two years, but there are no guarantees left on the deal he signed back in 2022.
Center is a less valuable position than guard, and Jenkins' earnings are slated to jump from $12.8 million to $20 million in 2026. This combination means that Jenkins is a realistic cut or paycut candidate next offseason, and this is the best possible time from a player's perspective to adjust his deal.
The Packers usually don't extend non-quarterbacks with more than a year left on their contracts, making the situation more complicated.
A middle ground would probably include some type of guarantees in 2025 and a roster bonus in 2026 to have an earlier trigger date and force a quick Packers' decision, avoiding a scenario where the Packers hold Jenkins' rights well into the offseason without the intent to pay his full salary.
The cap implications of the Packers’ decision to release Jaire Alexander, and why they made the move now
Cornerback’s tenure in Green Bay is over after seven seasons
