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Ex-Packers Lineman Elgton Jenkins Finds New Home 1 Day After Release: Report

free agency. That was the expectation around the league despite the fact the Green Bay Packers released the interior lineman with an injury designation.

That proved to be the case, as Jenkins landed with a new team one day after his Packers release.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Cleveland Browns agreed to a 2-year, $24 million contract with Jenkins. The guard will receive $20 million guaranteed.

Jenkins will be part of the significant changes the Browns are making to their offensive line this offseason. Over the last week, Cleveland has added three new linemen.

Two-time Pro Bowl OL Elgton Jenkins is signing with the Browns on a two-year, $24 million deal with $20M guaranteed, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

A day his release from Green Bay, Jenkins heads to Cleveland on a deal negotiated by Damarius Bilbo of @KlutchSports pic.twitter.com/IXrcEcqonq

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2026

After news of his signing in Cleveland, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky proposed the possibility of Jenkins moving back to guard next season.

“Did not take long for Jenkins to find a new team after the Packers moved on,” wrote Demovsky.

“Will be interesting to see whether the Browns move him back to guard, where he made his two Pro Bowls.”

Over seven seasons with the Packers, Jenkins made 94 starts. He made most of those starts at left guard.

In 2025, Jenkins played center, but his transition to the position didn’t go well, and he suffered a season-ending injury during Week 10.

During the 2020 and 2022 seasons, Jenkins made the Pro Bowl while playing guard for Green Bay.


Elgton Jenkins Signs With Browns: Report

Jenkins will be part of a revamped Browns offensive line in 2025.

The former Packers second-round pick was the second offensive lineman Cleveland agreed to terms with during the NFL legal tampering period. On Monday, Cleveland added former Los Angeles Chargers guard Zion Johnson on a 3-year, $49.5 million contract.

To begin the month, the Browns acquired veteran offensive tackle Tytus Howard in a trade from the Houston Texans. Cleveland sent a fifth-round pick to Houston in the deal.

It’s unclear where Jenkins will fit with all these new parts in Cleveland. The best place for him would be back at his natural left guard spot.

Jenkins played both guard positions, right tackle and center while in Green Bay. But he excelled the best and has the most experience at left guard.

The $20 million guaranteed from Cleveland is a considerable amount for a veteran interior offensive lineman coming off a disappointing campaign. But it’s a small investment compared to what Jenkins received in his last Green Bay extension.

The Packers signed him to a 4-year, $68 million extension in December 2022. At the time, the deal made Jenkins one of the highest-paid guards in NFL history.

Before releasing Jenkins, the Packers re-signed fellow interior offensive lineman Sean Rhyan to a 3-year, $33 million contract Sunday. Rhyan replaced Jenkins in the starting lineup after Jenkins’s injury last season.

Pundits expect Rhyan to start at center in Green Bay next season as well.

Green Bay Packers lead the list of teams pursuing the Super Bowl XLVIII champion as a backup quarterback after Malik Willis departed.
Green Bay, Wisconsin – 16/03/2026 The Green Bay Packers have quietly emerged as one of the most intriguing teams connected to veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, and according to multiple reports around the league, Green Bay now sits near the top of the list of potential destinations for the Super Bowl-winning signal caller. After an uneven 2025 season that ended in a frustrating Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears, the Packers entered the 2026 offseason determined to strengthen the depth around franchise quarterback Jordan Love. With former backup Malik Willis no longer on the roster, the organization has made it clear that building a reliable and experienced quarterback room is a priority heading into the new season. Wilson’s name has quickly become one of the most talked-about options. The nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion still carries enormous respect across the league for his leadership, experience, and ability to step into high-pressure situations. While Wilson endured a difficult stretch last season and was eventually benched late in the year, many executives still believe he could be one of the most valuable veteran backup quarterbacks available on the market. For the Packers, the appeal is obvious. Green Bay is not searching for a quarterback to challenge Love’s position as the starter. Instead, the organization wants a proven veteran capable of stabilizing the offense if injuries strike or if a young roster needs leadership in key moments during the season. Wilson fits that profile almost perfectly. “This locker room is built around competition, leadership, and preparation,” Wilson said during a recent appearance discussing his future. “If the opportunity comes to join a team that’s ready to win, I’m always going to embrace that challenge and bring everything I have to help the group succeed.” The Packers are not alone in their interest. The New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns have also been mentioned as possible landing spots for the veteran quarterback. However, league insiders suggest Green Bay’s situation could be particularly appealing given the stability of the coaching staff, the development of Love, and a roster that still believes it can compete in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur has consistently emphasized the importance of depth at the quarterback position, especially after the late-season struggles that exposed how thin the position could become during long NFL seasons. Adding Wilson would instantly bring credibility, experience, and a championship résumé to the Packers’ quarterback room. For now, discussions remain exploratory. But as free agency continues to evolve, Green Bay’s name is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore in the growing conversation surrounding Russell Wilson’s next chapter. And if the Packers do ultimately land the veteran quarterback, they may quietly end up with one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the entire NFL.

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