The Green Bay Packers broke the bank last offseason by signing Aaron Banks to a blockbuster four-year, $77 million contract, the fourth-highest salary for a left guard. Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan, as he battled multiple injuries, including a back issue in training camp, along with groin, ankle, shin, knee, and neck injuries, as well as illness, which forced him to miss two games and exit three. Banks allowed 29 pressures, 24 hurries, three quarterback hits, and two sacks across 16 games and 15 starts.
The Green Bay Packers have a big decision to make this offseason
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Green Bay Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst talks with head coach Matt LaFleur during fifth day of training camp on July 28, 2025, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis.
The Packers have a big decision to make regarding Aaron Banks because of his hefty roster bonus and massive cap hit, and they could instead look to upgrade the position in free agency or the draft. He is scheduled to earn a $7.7 million base salary, a $9.5 million roster bonus due March 13, a per-game bonus totaling $500,000, a $400,000 workout bonus, $18.1 million in cash, and a $24.79 million cap charge, the second highest at the position in 2026. Cutting Banks before June 1st clears $4.54 million in cap space while taking on $20.25 million in dead cap. Meanwhile, a post-June 1 designation frees $18.04 million on June 2nd and incurs $6.75 million in dead cap in 2026 and $13.5 million in 2027.
One thing to consider is that if the Packers move on from Banks, they would essentially admit it was a mistake, and the team effectively handed him a one-year, $29.4 million contract.
The Packers are set to retain their blockbuster signing
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Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers guard Aaron Banks (65) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
During Tuesday’s press conference at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Brian Gutekunst was asked about Aaron Banks, who has a $9.5 million roster bonus due on March 13, as reported by Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. The general manager said he doesn’t expect the underachieving left guard to be moved this offseason. Gutekunst mentioned before that Banks didn’t miss much time before joining the Packers and that he played better down the stretch when healthier.
“I wouldn’t expect him to go anywhere,” Gutekunst said, via Huber.
“Aaron Banks, he really hasn’t missed much time in his career. Some of the things he went through were unexpected. I really thought he played well toward the end of the season once he got healthy.”
The Packers may restructure Banks, which could clear $10.92 million in cap space. However, his cap hit and dead cap would increase in future years.
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