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New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Why Packers RT Zach Tom is practicing without a contract extension
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Zach Tom thinks he's the NFL's best right tackle when he's on top of his game. That belief may not be factually correct, but it's also not entirely far-fetched. Only Detroit's Penei Sewell and Philadelphia's Lane Johnson received more All-Pro votes at the position last season than Tom, who was voted to the second team by three of 50 media members. Advertisement Tom, a 2022 fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest who turned 26 in March, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He deserves, and will likely get, a hearty extension in Green Bay. He doesn't have one yet, though, but he's still been present at voluntary organized team activities this spring. Center Elgton Jenkins, on the other hand, has not been present. ESPN reported that the two-time Pro Bowler Jenkins, who is switching from left guard to center with the arrival of former 49ers left guard Aaron Banks in free agency, hasn't shown up to voluntary OTAs because he wants more financial security in his current deal to protect himself against a potential future loss of earnings that may accompany the switch to a less lucrative position. Jenkins is perfectly justified in his stance. This isn't to say Tom is right and Jenkins is wrong in their differing approaches amid contract situations, but head coach Matt LaFleur probably appreciates one more than the other, even if he understands both. 'That tells you how much it means to him,' LaFleur said of Tom after Tuesday's practice, adding that he wants every player present but understands this portion of the offseason is voluntary. 'But yeah, that means a lot. I know for me, it means a lot to me.' The Packers rewarded cornerback Jaire Alexander with a record-breaking contract extension in March 2022 even after he missed 13 games the season prior with a shoulder injury. Alexander then made the All-Pro Second Team the following season. The team is no stranger to backing up the Brinks truck for a worthwhile player coming off a significant injury and the decision immediately paying off (what happened later for Alexander is another discussion). General manager Brian Gutekunst knows how much Tom is worth based on the prior three years, but Tom might still be taking a risk by practicing without future financial security. And even if the dollar amount on an extension wouldn't change whether Tom got hurt, he's still sacrificing leverage to get a deal done by showing up to Lambeau Field in May and June. Advertisement Why is he doing it this way, when he'd be perfectly justified in staying away? 'I don't really think it'll do me any good to sit out,' Tom said Tuesday. 'I'm trying not to worry about the contract situation. I'm just trying to do what's best for the team. And being here with the guys, I think that's worth a lot more … the contract situation will take care of itself. So I'm just here working and grinding with the guys. If I wasn't here, I'd probably be somewhere just not doing anything. 'I want to be here, obviously.' When asked if he wanted an extension before the season starts so he doesn't have to think about it during the season, Tom said, 'I'm not going to get into that. I'll just let that take care of itself.' Tom is probably looking at a contract extension worth somewhere in the mid-to-high $20 millions annually. According to Over The Cap, Sewell makes $28 million per year and Johnson $25 million. Third among right tackles is the Chiefs' Jawaan Taylor at $20 million. Tom has yet to make a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, but shutting down Cowboys edge Micah Parsons in the 2023 wild-card round and playing admirably last season at less than 100 percent after returning from a torn pec are just a couple of the reasons to show Tom the money. 'I think he can play any position,' LaFleur said of Tom, who played left tackle and center in college but has found a home at right tackle in Green Bay. 'I think his versatility is one of the things that makes him special. I think he can play all five and there's not a lot of guys that can do that, but I would say that he's got the athleticism. I think he's a very intelligent football player and he's played pretty consistent over the course of the last few years.' Tom didn't want to make excuses, but he said his technique might have suffered last season while playing with a damaged pectoral muscle. He anticipates playing this coming season at 100 percent health and is pushing more weight on his strengthened arm after missing all of OTAs last year. 'Once I came back, I mean, it wasn't perfect, but you're just playing football. You're trying to, at least,' said Tom, who was Pro Football Focus' sixth-best tackle, not just right tackle, in the NFL last season. 'I try not to think about injuries because everybody's going through something.' Advertisement So if Tom is that good without being fully healed from a significant injury, one of the NFL's best tackles and one spot short of an All-Pro nod, what's the next step with or without a new contract? 'I would just say consistency,' Tom said. 'Being a guy that can set the tone during games, being a guy that you can really rely on to block those edge rushers — those elite edge rushers — one-on-one, take them out of the game.' Tom said it's important for him to be recognized as one of the best in the game at his position, though he's not too worried about what those outside 1265 Lombardi Ave. think about his game. It's probably nice, however, when Texans star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. tells ESPN that Tom is the best offensive lineman he's faced. 'It's not like I set a goal to be the 10th-best tackle in the league,' Tom said. 'I just gotta hone in on my technique, being consistent in that, because I think when I'm at my best, I'm the best in the league.' Tom thinks it. Soon enough, he'll be paid like it, too.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 takeaways from Packers OTAs: Updates on Christian Watson, Matthew Golden and more
Organized team activities have begun in Green Bay, with the first practice featuring both rookies and veterans taking place on Wednesday. Here are some takeaways from the first OTA practice open to the media: Two expected and two unexpected absentees Four Packers were not in attendance Wednesday: Jaire Alexander, Tyron Herring, Elgton Jenkins and John Williams. Advertisement The reasons for Herring and Williams' absences are unknown at this point, but Alexander and Jenkins not attending is unsurprising as they handle their respective contract issues. There were more indications this week that Alexander and the Packers could be close to reconciliation, as The Athletic's Matt Schneidman reported the team has offered the All-Pro corner a restructured deal, and that Alexander wants to return to Green Bay this year. Xavier McKinney, who has become a good friend of Alexander's, said 'we would all like him back' when speaking to the media Wednesday, Injury updates The list of those not practicing due to injury was: Warren Brinson, John FitzPatrick, Jadon Janke, MarShawn Lloyd, Jeremiah Martin, Collin Oliver, Nesta Jade Silvera, Quay Walker and Christian Watson. Savion Williams practiced in a red "non-contact" jersey. Advertisement Head coach Matt LaFleur issued a positive update on Watson, claiming the receiver is 'ahead of schedule' in his ACL tear recovery. He said of the other injured players: 'I don't anticipate anything too long term." Jayden Reed provided some background on the injury he suffered in the Wild Card loss to Philadelphia, and it sounds like the issue was quite serious. Reed told the media the shoulder injury was a dislocation and a partially torn labrum, and while he did not have surgery, based on the recovery timetable of four to five months he laid out, with the injury happening in January, it would seem he has only recently fully recovered. Search for 'best five' offensive linemen is underway As has become the standard in Green Bay, there was plenty of rotation along the offensive line on Wednesday, as young players in particular continue to cross-train at various positions. Advertisement With Elgton Jenkins not practicing, Sean Rhyan rotated at both his usual right guard spot and center, with Jacob Monk, the presumed backup center, doing the same. From what LaFleur said post-practice, it sounded like Rhyan filled in at center so the team could split the field in half and essentially run two practices at once. Given LaFleur brought this up unprompted, it would seem this was more a logistical situation than a case of Rhyan truly "competing" at center. Jordan Morgan practiced at left tackle with the second-team offense behind Rasheed Walker, as had been expected, with the team being fairly open about moving him out to his natural left tackle position. Advertisement But he also took some snaps at right guard with the ones, which was again likely due to Jenkins' absence on the interior. Meanwhile, rookie second-round pick Anthony Belton split time between left tackle with twos, and right tackle with the twos and threes. Defensive backfield rotations While it has been tempting to spend the offseason wondering how each player fits into a specific role in Green Bay's defensive backfield, the truth is that it will likely be a fluid situation with plenty of rotation week to week, or even drive to drive. The tone was set in that regard at the first OTA practice, with the Packers staying true to their word that new signing Nate Hobbs would line up both inside and outside. Evan Williams and Javon Bullard rotated with the ones at safety opposite McKinney. Advertisement In a surprising development, newly added Gregory Junior, a former sixth-round pick who has played just one snap of defense since week 14 of 2023, got some time with the first-team defense in the nickel. Matthew Golden makes an impression Rookie first-round pick Golden was smooth in running his routes Wednesday, and looked the part of a first-rounder. He took some snaps with the ones, which has become less unusual for rookies in Green Bay in recent years, but was nonetheless an encouraging sign for the Packers' premium draft investment. This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 takeaways from Packers OTAs: Updates on Watson, Golden and more
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
What to watch at Packers OTAs: Contract situations, lineup decisions, WR vibes
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers reported to Lambeau Field for the start of voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, with Wednesday marking the first chance for reporters to watch the full roster practice together this offseason. Head coach Matt LaFleur and select players will speak after practice, but let's first pinpoint some things to keep an eye on. Advertisement As has been the case for most of the offseason, cornerback Jaire Alexander's future with the only team for which he's ever played is a prominent storyline. The latest on the situation, which includes two new developments from Tuesday, can be found here. I don't expect Alexander to be on the field Wednesday, but this is the first concrete sign we have this offseason of the Packers showing interest in keeping him. Is it possible the Packers still end up releasing Alexander if they can't agree on a restructuring? Sure, but Alexander plans to attend mandatory minicamp next month even without a resolution on his future, and multiple signs point to a future with Alexander remaining in Green Bay. ESPN reported earlier this month that offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins wasn't present at voluntary workouts because he was awaiting a new contract. Jenkins is switching from left guard, where he made two Pro Bowls, to center. That's because the Packers signed former 49ers left guard Aaron Banks in free agency and he's staying there. The report indicated that Jenkins wants a deal with more future financial stability that will protect him against a potential loss of earnings since centers make less than left guards. Will Jenkins be on the field Wednesday even if he doesn't have a reworked contract? There have been varying levels of noise off the field surrounding three different Packers receivers over the last year. Romeo Doubs reportedly skipped two practices out of frustration over his role. Dontayvion Wicks seemingly expressed his displeasure on social media with running back Josh Jacobs saying in February that the team needed a proven No. 1 wide receiver. ESPN reported recently that Jayden Reed's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, clarified with general manager Brian Gutekunst after he drafted Matthew Golden in the first round that Reed is the Packers' No. 1 receiver (we still don't know if Reed had any involvement in that, but maybe we'll find out if Reed talks Wednesday). How are the vibes in the receiver room, especially after the additions of Golden and Savion Williams in the first three rounds of the draft? And will either rookie be ahead of a returning wideout in the pecking order when they take the field on Wednesday? Advertisement We know Zach Tom will start at right tackle and Banks at left guard. We know Jenkins will start at center, but whoever lines up there if Jenkins doesn't practice will hint at who the Packers view as their backup center come the regular season. Rasheed Walker figures to start at left tackle, but Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur have both indicated 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan will get a legitimate shot at left tackle, too. Morgan and Sean Rhyan split snaps at right guard last season before Morgan underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, so will the Packers start Morgan at left tackle or right guard? Will there be a rotation again? Will Rhyan just play center until Jenkins returns, like he did in the playoffs after Josh Myers suffered a leg injury? And where will second-round pick Anthony Belton first line up? Assuming Alexander isn't on the field Wednesday, that might mean Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs start at outside cornerback, with Carrington Valentine next up. Javon Bullard figures to get the first crack at nickel since that's where he played after Evan Williams earned a starting safety spot alongside Xavier McKinney last season. But it's also possible that Valentine starts outside and Hobbs slides inside since the Packers said the free-agent signing will play nickel, too. That would push Bullard, the 2024 second-round pick, to the bench. If Alexander is on the field at some point this offseason or even during the regular season, that probably means he and Nixon would start outside with Hobbs inside, since Hobbs, making $12 million annually, isn't sitting on the bench. Regardless, the Packers have some interesting decisions to make regarding their secondary alignment. We know the first three running backs after Josh Jacobs will be Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd, but in what order? Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, was supposed to be Jacobs' backup last season but only played in one game because of multiple injuries. Wilson averaged an efficient 4.9 yards per rush on 103 carries last season and provides some enticing burst. Brooks is a solid pass protector who can make things happen with the ball in his hands, too. But the Packers drafted Lloyd in the third round for a reason and we saw his explosiveness early before he got hurt. Running backs coach Ben Sirmans said Lloyd has no limitations. He should have all the opportunity he needs to earn substantial snaps behind Jacobs in 2025. T.J. Slaton wasn't the best pass rusher you'll ever see, but he did play more than 39 percent of the defensive snaps on the interior defensive line last season. After he signed with the Bengals in free agency, is it as simple as Karl Brooks playing more snaps (he played about 41 percent of them last season) or will Slaton's snaps be distributed among Brooks, Colby Wooden and perhaps even Georgia rookies Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse, one of the Packers' intriguing undrafted signings? The Packers must carry over their surprisingly strong run defense from 2024 to 2025, but they also must improve rushing the passer from the interior. Advertisement There isn't a competition for the Packers' starting quarterback, though some fans thought there should've been last year after Malik Willis showed out. This competition is potentially for a practice squad spot and perhaps even backup quarterback duties in 2026. The Packers signed Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma after he attended rookie camp on a tryout basis. He's the team's fourth quarterback for now behind Sean Clifford. Elgersma won the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy for college football in Canada last season and brings a powerful arm to Green Bay's OTAs. If he impresses enough, could he unseat Clifford and even contend for a roster spot in 2026 if Willis signs for bigger money elsewhere in free agency? The latter would seem to be a long shot, but the Packers have an interesting project on their hands, nonetheless. (Photo of Elgton Jenkins: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Insider Delivers Major Update on Packers' Veteran Guard
The Green Bay Packers' offensive line has been so effective primarily because of its versatility up front. It is one of the main reasons the unit has been a strength in recent years and helped power Green Bay to a top-five finish in offensive DVOA last season. They also ranked 8th in EPA per play, 6th in EPA per pass, and 7th in EPA per rush. With Josh Myers leaving in free agency, the Packers will have a new starting center in 2025—likely two-time Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins. His decision to skip the offseason program has not gone unnoticed by fans, especially with the starting job at center still up for grabs. Advertisement On Wednesday, an NFL insider clarified why Jenkins has not been attending offseason activities and shared what might be next for him and the Packers' offensive line. Elgton Jenkins (74) and Jordan Love (10) in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.© Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, Jenkins' absence is due to a potential move to center. It is not that he is unwilling to make the switch, but he wants to safeguard himself against potential future earnings loss. "Jenkins has two years left on a four-year, $68 million contract extension he signed in December of 2022," Demovsky wrote. "It was designed to pay him as if he were staying at guard while also remaining competitive if he moved to the higher-priced tackle position. The average of $17 million would make him among the highest-paid centers in the league." Advertisement "The problem, however, is that centers typically make far less than the highest-paid guards or tackles, so Jenkins' concerns are tied to future earnings, which could be significantly lower as a center," he added. "He is under contract through the 2026 season and is scheduled to make $12.8 million this season and $20 million in 2026, when he will be 30 years old." Jenkins played over 1,700 blocking snaps at center during his time at Mississippi State and has started four games at center for the Packers, allowing just two pressures and no sacks in 255 snaps. Offensive line coach Adam Stenavich noted that Jenkins is open to transitioning to center for Green Bay, and General Manager Brian Gutekunst believes he has the potential to become an All-Pro at the position. Green Bay and Elgton Jenkins should have no trouble reaching an agreement. Without him, Green Bay lacks a dependable backup at center, which is arguably the most important position on the offensive line. Given the significance of the role, there should be a sense of urgency to iron out any remaining details. Related: NFL Insider Reveals Intriguing Detail About Packers' 2025 Schedule
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Packers stunned as key man skips offseason workouts over possible position change
Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins has been skipping offseason workouts, and it's reportedly for an unusual reason. Jenkins, 29, has played every position on the team's offensive line since they drafted him in 2019. But with the team looking to move him to center full-time, Jenkins is looking for more financial security, ESPN has reported. A new report from the publication states that Jenkins' proposed position change is the reason that he's been missing offseason workouts, as he seeks some sort of adjustment to the current four-year, $68million deal which he has two years left on. As noted in the article, centers make less money than guards and tackles, so Jenkins is looking to protect himself against potential losses in the future. He spent last season at left guard as he started all 17 regular season games. However, the Packers inked guard Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77million deal this offseason. The ESPN report, which suggested that a potential compromise could be guaranteeing some of the $32.8million left on his deal, came after offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said Jenkins was 'open' to the position shift. 'He's not here for other reasons than that,' Stenavich said on Monday, denying that the position switch had anything to do with him missing the offseason program. GM Brian Gutekunst also said earlier this year that Jenkins has 'a chance to be an All-Pro center.' Jenkins has experience in the position both with the Packers and in college with Mississippi State. The two-time Pro Bowler has been a vital part of the Packers since they selected him with the No. 44 overall pick in 2019. Green Bay has made the playoffs in five of his six seasons, and the team was impressive again last year as they went 11-6. Along with the rest of the NFL, the Packers' full schedule will be released on Wednesday night, though it is known they will host the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in Week 10.
