Star Offensive Lineman Elgton Jenkins Signs 2-Year Contract With Cleveland Browns
One day. That’s all it took. Less than 24 hours after the Green Bay Packers cut Elgton Jenkins loose, the Cleveland Browns swooped in and made him the latest piece in what is shaping up to be the most aggressively rebuilt offensive line in the NFL this offseason.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Jenkins is headed to Cleveland on a two-year, $24 million deal with a whopping $20 million guaranteed. Not bad for a guy who was just shown the door.
Who Is Elgton Jenkins?
If you’re not deeply plugged into the offensive line universe, here’s what you need to know. Jenkins is a 30-year-old interior lineman who spent his entire seven-year NFL career in Green Bay after being drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He’s a two-time Pro Bowler, earning that distinction at left guard in 2020 and 2022. He’s also a guy who can line up at all five offensive line positions, which in today’s NFL is essentially like finding a Swiss Army Knife in a world full of butter knives.
The Packers asked Jenkins to make the switch to center in 2025 — a transition that didn’t exactly go smoothly. Nine games in, Jenkins fractured his ankle in a Week 10 game against the Philadelphia Eagles and was carted off the field. Just like that, his season was done. Green Bay replaced him with Sean Rhyan, signed Rhyan to a three-year, $33 million extension, and quietly began writing Jenkins’ goodbye letter.
Why the Browns Wanted Jenkins
Cleveland didn’t just stumble into this signing. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Browns had actually explored trading for Jenkins before Green Bay pulled the plug entirely. When the Packers made it official and released him, Cleveland didn’t hesitate. They pounced.
The Browns have gone wild overhauling their offensive line this offseason. They traded for Houston Texans Right Tackle Tytus Howard and signed former Los Angeles Chargers Guard Zion Johnson to a three-year, $49.5 million deal. They also re-signed Teven Jenkins, who started four games at right guard late in the 2025 season.
Add Elgton Jenkins to that group, and suddenly, Cleveland’s offensive line room looks a lot less like a renovation project and a lot more like a legitimate unit.
Where Does He Fit in Cleveland?
The most logical answer is center. Cleveland’s 2025 starter at that spot, Ethan Pocic, is currently a free agent, leaving a fairly obvious vacancy. Both Pelissero and Rapoport specifically identified Jenkins as a center in their initial reports, which tells you everything you need to know about how the Browns envision using him.
That said, Jenkins’ versatility gives Cleveland options. With Zion Johnson locked in at one guard spot and Teven Jenkins holding down the other, Elgton Jenkins could potentially slide to either interior position depending on how training camp shakes out.
It’s worth noting that he is coming off a serious injury that included both a leg fracture and reported ligament damage. The Packers actually released him with a “failed physical” designation — the same day he signed with Cleveland. The Browns clearly believe he’ll pass their physical and be ready to go when the 2026 season kicks off.
The Bigger Picture For Cleveland
This is a franchise that has been plagued by offensive line instability for years. Watching Cleveland spend this aggressively on the trenches feels like a team that finally looked in the mirror, admitted the problem, and decided to throw real money at fixing it.
Jenkins brings experience, versatility, and a Pro Bowl pedigree that gives Cleveland something it desperately needed up front. Yes, the injury history is a legitimate concern. Yes, his move to center last season was a bit rocky. But a healthy player, playing in his most natural position or somewhere close to it, is the kind of player who can anchor a rebuild.
The Baltimore Ravens were reportedly circling as well, but in the end, Jenkins is headed to Cleveland, not Baltimore.
For a Browns team that’s been searching for an offensive identity, this signing matters. It won’t show up on any highlight reel. Jenkins won’t score touchdowns or make the back page of the newspaper. But if he keeps whoever is under center upright and opens running lanes on Sunday afternoons? Browns fans will love every second of it.
