Since Brian Gutekunst took over as the Green Bay Packers general manager in 2018, investment in the offensive line isn't something new. And based on their finances now, the team really had the possibility of making one big signing in free agency. It's not a surprise that they decided to get a big guy upfront, giving guard Aaron Banks a four-year, $77 million in free agency.

While it was some of a surprise that Banks specifically got the deal, the Packers have plenty of confidence that the former San Francisco 49ers second-round pick can be a difference-maker at the left guard spot.

"This isn't a 295-pound man, this is a 330-pound man," Gutekunst said at the NFL League Meetings on Monday. "His ability to play physical in the run game and anchor down in the pass pro is something where he's played at a high level for a few years now, and to get a guy like that really in the prime of his career is something I thought would really benefit us."

Part of the plan along the offensive line is to move Elgton Jenkins from left guard to center. The calculus is that a combination of Banks and Jenkins will improve the unit compared to Jenkins and Josh Myers, who was let go in free agency and signed a small deal with the New York Jets.

"We feel (Jenkins) has got a chance to be an All-Pro center," Gutekunst added. "We've talked about it a lot, how versatility plays into our offensive line and having guys that can move to different spots, and Elgton's one of those guys who can play all five spots. So, he's a luxury, but I'm excited to see what he can do at center, as well."

Out of the five positions of the offensive line, center is only the fourth place in the number of total snaps for Jenkins. He played 297 snaps in 2020 and 72 last season, replacing Corey Linsley and Myers when they got injured. However, Jenkins was primarily a center in college.

With a better offensive line, the Packers believe they can get the most out of quarterback Jordan Love as well.

Free agency additions

If the Packers deserve the benefit of the doubt because of their track record selecting and developing offensive linemen, there really isn't a big enough sample size in free agency.

Since 2018, the only offensive linemen the Packers signed projecting as starters were Byron Bell, who was at the tail end of his career and didn't play well at right guard, and Billy Turner, who had a few decent seasons at right guard and right tackle in Green Bay.

2018

• G Byron Bell
• G Ethan Cooper
• G Nico Siragusa

2019

• T/G Billy Turner
• G Dejon Allen
• T/G Adam Pankey
• T Jared Veldheer
• T John Leglue

2020

• T Rick Wagner
• T Jared Veldheer (again)

2021

• T Dennis Kelly
• G Ben Braden

2022

• C Ty Clary
• T Luke Tenuta

2023

• C DJ Scaife
• C James Empey

2024

• T Andre Dillard
• G Lecitus Smith

Other than that, there were a lot of developmental projects and some veterans (like Rick Wagner, Jared Veldheer, Dennis Kelly, and Andre Dillard) to provide depth.

Banks is clearly the biggest bet Gutekunst has made at the position. And if the Packers hit, it will go a long way on making the offense around Jordan Love much more functional.

Packers’ free agency spending leads to uncertainty about their short- and long-term vision at key position group

Decisions to sign Aaron Banks creates new questions