The offseason is a time of hope. It's a blank slate and an opportunity to right wrongs, though much of the optimism is typically misplaced.
Fans tend to put on their front-office hats and set unattainable and/or unrealistic expectations. They get overzealous and convince themselves that the team will shoot too. However, this go-round, the New York Giants faithful may want to shoot for the moon apropos of Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins.
Jenkins is signed with the Packers for 2026. Yet, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine identified the two-time Pro Bowler as a potential cap casualty. Do with that information what you will, Big Blue Nation, but it sounds like a prime opportunity for the Giants to strike.
NFL writer gives Giants fans reason to believe Packers OL Elgton Jenkins is a realistic free agent target
Ballentine highlighted the well-chronicled contract dispute between Jenkins and the Packers this past spring over guaranteed money — or lack thereof. The situation notably remains unresolved; nonetheless, the rubber could finally meet the road.
Green Bay can shed roughly $19.5 million from its payroll for next season while creating a $4.8 million dead cap hit by cutting Jenkins. They don't even need a post-June 1 designation, so theoretically, he can be released at any moment. If and when the moment comes, Giants general manager Joe Schoen should pounce.
Before suffering a fracture in his lower leg in Week 10 of the 2025 NFL campaign, Jenkins was beginning to show signs of decline. Yet, despite the regression, he was still an average-to-plus contributor when healthy. Perhaps a change of scenery, like New York, can help him return to prominence.
Jenkins received a 62.0 overall Pro Football Focus grade this year, good for 25th out of 40 qualified centers. He earned a strong 72.5 pass-blocking mark, though, which ranked seventh. Impressively, this isn't his natural position.
By trade, Jenkins is a left guard. Nevertheless, the Packers have leaned on his experience and versatility, deploying him at every position along the front five. He'd be a meaningful upgrade over Jon Runyan, one of Schoen's biggest free agency whiffs.
Plopping Jenkins alongside Giants stalwart left tackle Andrew Thomas would fortify electrifying young quarterback Jaxson Dart's blindside.