GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 19: Elgton Jenkins #74 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with fans after Jayden Reed #11 scored a touchdown in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Elgton Jenkins #74 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with fans after Jayden Reed #11 scored a touchdown in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lambeau Field on November 19, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Cleveland Browns have just about rounded out their offensive line after acquiring former Green Bay Packers Pro-Bowl center Elgton Jenkins, but that particular signing came with something of a concerning caveat.
Rob Demovsky of ESPN reported that Green Bay’s release of Jenkins ahead of free agency noted a failed physical as part of the official reasoning behind a move that saved the Packers upwards of $20 million against the salary cap this season.
“Officially, the Packers released Elgton Jenkins with the ‘failed physical’ designation, according to the NFL’s daily transaction file,” Demovsky posted to X.
Jenkins fractured his leg and damaged ligaments in the limb back in November, which required season-ending surgery. He appeared in nine contests for the Packers in 2025 after playing a full 17-game schedule the year prior.
The offensive lineman is entering his eighth NFL campaign in 2026, which he will play at the age of 31.
Browns Have Filled 4 of 5 Open Spots on Offensive Line
New Cleveland Browns signee Zion Johnson, who is slated to replace Joel Bitonio if he retires.
GettyCleveland Browns offensive guard Zion Johnson.
Assuming Jenkins is back to full health by the start of the regular season, which is clearly the expectation of the Browns given their decision to sign him to a two-year deal worth $24 million in total on Tuesday, March 10, Cleveland has all but finished the reconstruction of the offensive line.
That was a primary initiative of the front office and coaching staff under general manager Andrew Berry and new head coach Todd Monken entering his first season in that job in Cleveland, or anywhere in the NFL, at 59 years of age.
The Browns began by trading a fifth-round pick to the Houston Texans for Tytus Howard. On Monday, the team paid nearly $50 million to bring in guard and former first-round pick (2022) Zion Johnson from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Cleveland brought back Teven Jenkins on Tuesday to play the other guard spot before signing Elgton Jenkins in free agency to handle duties at center. The Browns still have a glaring need at left tackle, though the team owns the Nos. 6 and 24 picks in Round 1 of next month’s NFL draft and is likely to fill that void with one of those two selections.
Dawand Jones, who was a fourth-round pick in 2024, has played both guard and tackle for the Browns and should offer versatile depth and/or compete for a starting job somewhere on the offensive line when he returns from knee surgery at some point next season.
Browns Have Several Options to Address Open Left Tackle Position
Francis Mauigoa, Houston Texans
GettyOffensive tackle Francis Mauigoa of the Miami Hurricanes.
Field Yates of ESPN predicted on Monday night that the Browns will round out their offensive line rebuild with the No. 6 selection in the form of Francis Mauigoa, though he might not be the perfect positional fit.
The Browns traded for Tytus Howard, which might serve as a deterrent to drafting Mauigoa. Howard’s best position is right tackle, where Mauigoa played throughout his career at Miami.
With that said, the Browns have won eight games over the past two seasons and clearly know their offensive line needs work — as evidenced by the three-year, $49.5 million deal for guard Zion Johnson. I’d still advocate for adding Mauigoa, who is one of the steadiest players in the class, and figuring out the offensive line construction later.
Cleveland could also look to draft a wide receiver with the 6th pick and turn to a more natural fit at left tackle later in Round 1.
Rasheed Walker, a four-year starter for the Packers, also remains available in free agency, as does recently-released Detroit Lions Pro Bowler Taylor Decker.