The Green Bay Packers face an interesting dilemma heading into the 2022 season. It concerns the future of Pro Bowl offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins. Because he suffered a season-ending knee injury in November, it is unlikely Jenkins will be ready to start the 2022 campaign on time. But when he does return, do the Packers insert him into the lineup at tackle or a guard?
Jenkins is one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the NFL today. He can play all five positions along the line at a very high level. In college, he played center, guard and tackle during his career. His strong play at Mississippi State led the Packers to draft him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Jenkins came close to winning the starting right guard position in training camp as a rookie but was barely beaten out by veteran Lane Taylor. When Taylor suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1, Jenkins stepped in and started for the rest of his rookie campaign.
In 2020, Jenkins won Pro Bowl honors for his strong play at left guard. He demonstrated the ability to run and pass block well and had the speed and agility to get to the second level.
In 2021, Jenkins again proved his versatility. With David Bakhtiari out of the lineup because of a knee injury he suffered late in 2020, Jenkins shifted to left tackle and took over the job of protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blind side.
Despite the position switch, Jenkins continued to play at a very high level. He suffered an ankle injury that cost him three games early in the season but played eight games in total before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Packers Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
So, now the question is, when Jenkins is ready to return to the lineup, where do the Packers put him? Do they return him to left guard alongside Bakhtiari who is expected to return to his customary left tackle position? If they do, that will give the Packers two Pro Bowl players on the left side of their offensive line and if both are healthy and return to form, could give the team one of the best duos in the league on the left side.
If Jenkins returns to left guard, then Jon Runyan, Jr. and Royce Newman would likely fight to see who will stay in the starting lineup at right guard with the other player giving the Packers depth along the interior offensive line.
The alternative is to move Jenkins to right tackle where Yosh Nijman will likely compete with an early round draft pick to see who the opening day starter will be after the Packers let go last year’s starter, Billy Turner. Jenkins would strengthen the weaker right side of the offensive line and give the Packers two Pro Bowl offensive lineman at the offensive tackle position.
There is a downside to moving Jenkins to tackle, however. As a rule, tackles are paid more money than guards as the Packers and the rest of the league places a higher value on that position. Jenkins rookie contract expires at the end of the 2022 season. If the team determines that his future is at tackle rather than at guard, Jenkins will almost certainly ask for and will likely receive a bigger contract if the Packers are able to re-sign him for 2023.
Obviously, a lot of things can change the equation between now and the time Jenkins is ready to return to the lineup. He can be ahead of schedule or behind schedule. Other players along the offensive line could also suffer injuries which would make Jenkins’ versatility even more useful. For example, Jenkins may become the primary backup at center if Josh Myers misses significant time next season.
The other players along the offensive line could also exceed expectations or play poorly, changing the team’s need at any position. We also don’t know at this point when the team will add offensive linemen in the draft and how many they will add. If the Packers select an offensive tackle with one of their early picks, they may be more inclined to project Jenkins’ long-term future at guard.
Either way, this is a major decision for the Packers coaching staff and front office. Through three seasons, Jenkins has proven himself to a be a very valuable and talented player who can help the team at a variety of positions. Keeping him in the fold and maximizing that ability is the next task for the Packers organization.

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