The Green Bay Packers are one of many NFL teams that are currently over the 2026 salary cap. Because of this, they are going to have to make some cuts to their roster and restructure other contracts. And while restructures will allow them to keep many of their current players, there are others who will not agree to a restructure, have contracts not worth restructuring, or have not lived up to their deals and will be released anyway.
Over the course of the off-season, Elgton Jenkins has been a player that many people assumed would be one of the players cut by the Packers. After all, releasing him would free up $20 million in cap space. Furthermore, Jenkins was not too happy about being moved to center last season and held out of team activities as he tried to renegotiate his contract.
Green Bay Packers expected to release Elgton Jenkins
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Elgton Jenkins (74) walks off the field with an injury against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
While many made the assumption that Jenkins would be released this off-season, a recent report from Bill Huber ofSports Illustrated states that many around the NFL actually are expecting it to happen:
“At age 30, coming off a season-ending injury and failing to get anywhere close to“All-Pro” expectations, Jenkins is widely expected to be released before the start of the league-year.
“Jenkins’ cap hit for 2026 is about $24.33 million. Between his $18.5 million base salary, $1.0 million in per-game roster bonuses and a $500,000 roster bonus, he is owed $20 million in cash. Those are by far the highest figures among centers.”
By cutting Jenkins, the Packers will save close to $20 million on the salary cap. This move alone would get Green Bay under the 2026 salary cap, and further releases and restructures will help determine how much they can spend in free agency.
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