Green Bay Packers Try Out New Quarterback Amid Star’s Contract Holdout

Earlier this offseason, the Green Bay Packers made the decision to let Josh Myers, their starting center and 2021 second round pick, leave in free agency. He has since signed with the New York Jets and will likely serve as a backup interior lineman.

But the decision to let Myers go is having some, perhaps, unforeseen consequences. While allowing their starting center to leave, the Packers signed veteran left guard Aaron Banks to a lucrative four-year $77 million contract. This was a surprising move because Green Bay already had a left guard, Elgton Jenkins, who is a two-time Pro Bowler at the position.

By signing Banks, the Packers also made the decision to move Jenkins to center, the position he played while in college. And while the two-time Pro Bowler is more than willing to switch positions, he is hoping for a little financial security in return.

Green Bay Packers Projected Center Elgton Jenkins Wants a Reworked Contract or an Extension

Jenkins currently has two years remaining on the four-year $68 million contract extension he previously signed with the Packers. This salary was based on the belief that he would remain the team’s starting left guard, and made him among one of the highest paid players at his position.

And while there is no doubt that he will be a successful center, there are two important factors that the two-time Pro Bowler is considering here. First, centers do not make as much money as guards. When he becomes a free agent, should he hit the market, teams may lowball him because of the position change.

Second, the Packers do not typically give out third contracts, especially to offensive linemen, and especially to players 30 years old or older, which Jenkins will be at the end of his current contract.

With these factors in mind, the two-time Pro Bowler is absent from voluntary team activities while his agents the Packers front office negotiate an agreement that will make him feel more financially secure going forward.

Again, he is more than willing to play center. He just wants to ensure that his market value/future earnings are not affected by the change. Green Bay could do this by guaranteeing the rest of his contract without giving him an extension, or by giving him a small extension at his current annual salary.

The Green Bay Packers Have Tried Out Quarterback Will Rogers

While coming to an understanding with Jenkins is surely a priority, Green Bay is also going about its business of ensuring that they have the best roster possible heading into the rest of their offseason activities. Last year, general manager Brian Gutekunst said he wants the Packers to return to their days as a quarterback factory, when they would draft and develop quarterbacks behind their starter (Brett Favre at the time), and then trade them for draft picks.

This means that Green Bay is adding plenty of competition to their quarterback room. While Jordan Love is locked in as the starter, and Malik Willis as his backup, the practice squad/third quarterback role is up for grabs.

Sean Clifford backed up Love in 2023 and spent 2024 on the practice squad. But he has since seen the Packers add Canadian star Taylor Elgersma as competition.

Additionally, the Packers are working out Washington’s Will Rogers to see if he might be an option for their quarterback lab:

Rogers played at Washington last season, completing 70.7% of his passes for 2,458 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Prior to his final college season spent at Washington, Rogers was the starting quarterback as Mississippi State, where Jenkins starred as the team’s center.

In 2021, Rogers led the SEC in completion percentage with 73.9%. This also led all FBS quarterbacks. In 2022, he led the conference in touchdown passes with 35.

While it remains to be seen if Rogers will even get a shot on the Packers roster, it is intriguing that they are entertaining adding him.

That cannot be good for Clifford.