One of the names that has frequently been mentioned as a likely salary cap casualty and/or trade target is Green Bay Packers center Elgton Jenkins. Even before the 2025 NFL season began, many assumed that this past season would be his last in Green Bay. Aside from his displeasure about being moved to center, the fact of the matter is that the team can save $20 million by moving on from him in 2026.
A broken leg in 2025 and the fact that he is now on the wrong side of 30 also led many to believe Jenkins would not be back for the Packers.
However, whereas many previously believed he would just be cut, there are now rumblings that he could get traded.
Green Bay Packers Elgton Jenkins named in mock trade with the Los Angeles Chargers
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
Green Bay can save the same amount of money on their salary cap whether they release Jenkins or trade him. And while NFL teams could wait for him to be released instead of trading for him, the only way any individual team can guarantee they get him is by sending the Packers a draft pick for the two-time Pro Bowler before he hits the open market.
With that in mind, Bleacher Report put together an interesting mock trade that would see Jenkins sent to the Las Angeles Chargers:
“Jenkins’ injury-shortened 2025 season wasn’t great. But he was playing center as opposed his natural position of left guard, and the eighth-year veteran has made a pair of Pro Bowls over his time at Titletown.
“The Chargers are already running low on draft capital after making some other deals—the team has just five picks pending the awarding of compensatory selections. But dealing a pick in the back half of Round 4 is still a smart play for a Chargers team that is both a playoff contender and who has the cap space ($85.5 million) to absorb Jenkins’ contract.”
In return for Jenkins, Green Bay would receive a fourth round pick from Los Angeles.
This would almost certainly be a trade that the Packers would jump to take, if it were in fact offered. Without a first round pick this year, one has to imagine general manager Brian Gutekunst is exploring all avenues to get as many extra picks as possible.
That being said, as BR notes, the Chargers already do not have much draft capital, and Jenkins is getting older. There is also no way of known how well he will play coming off of a significant leg injury at this point in his career.
It would probably be wiser for Los Angeles to keep their pick and explore other options in free agency and the NFL Draft. However, if the Packers can get a pick for Jenkins (or any other player expected to be a cap casualty), they will certainly jump at that opportunity.
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