The Green Bay Packers surprisingly found a trade partner in the Dallas Cowboys for edge rusher Rashan Gary. The Packers agreed to send Gary, 28, to Dallas in exchange for a fourth-round pick on Monday (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The Packers weren’t lucky enough to get a return on Pro Bowl center Elgton Jenkins.
On Monday, the Packers announced they will release Jenkins, 30, after seven years with the team. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky relayed that the move will save Green Bay $19.5 million in salary cap space in 2026. On Tuesday, Demovsky added more context: “Officially, the Packers released Elgton Jenkins with the ‘failed physical’ designation, according to the NFL‘s daily transaction file.”
Jenkins suffered a season-ending fractured lower leg in Week 10 against Philadelphia. Last season was Jenkins’ first and, as it were, last as the Packers’ starting center after becoming a two-time Pro Bowl guard.
“Right now, I’m just focused on the season going forward,” Jenkins told reporters last July. He admitted he “for sure” considered how moving from left guard to center might impact him financially, according to The Athletic‘s Matt Schneidman, but he denied that he held out of the Packers’ program over his contract. “Honestly, I am having changes in my family right now, so I want to spend more time with them,” he said.
Later Tuesday afternoon, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport jointly reported that Jenkins has agreed to sign a two-year, $24 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, with $20 million guaranteed.
Jenkins is coming off a devastating injury, but he has overcome an injury-riddled season in the past. In November 2021, he tore his ACL and missed the remainder of the year. He followed that up in 2022 with a Pro Bowl season, starting 15 regular-season games. Before his 2025 ended prematurely, Jenkins had only missed four regular-season games in three years.
Elsewhere this week, the Packers lost backup quarterback Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins, wide receiver Romeo Doubs to the New England Patriots, linebacker Quay Walker to the Las Vegas Raiders, and edge Kingsley Enagbare to the New York Jets.
All deals done with unrestricted free agents will become official when the new league year begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST.
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