Elgton Jenkins was a mainstay for seven years on the Packers offensive line, mostly at left guard. But his last games in Green Bay were spent at center.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
The Browns won’t say that Joel Bitonio isn’t coming back, but their actions may say otherwise.
They continued to rebuild their offensive line on Tuesday by agreeing to terms with a pair of Jenkins – Teven Jenkins, who made four starts at right guard for them last year, and former Packers guard and center Elgton Jenkins.
Elgton Jenkins, 30, made the Pro Bowl twice with the Packers at left guard – Bitonio’s position the past 12 seasons – but he started at center for the first nine games of the 2025 season. He suffered a fractured fibula and ankle in Week 10, which required season-ending surgery.
The Packers released Jenkins with a “failed physical” designation on Monday to save $19.5 million in salary cap space.
The Browns and Jenkins reportedly agreed to a two-year contract for $24 million.
The Browns previously traded for right tackle Tytus Howard and agreed to terms with Chargers guard Zion Johnson.
Now, the addition of three guards – Johnson, Teven Jenkins, and Elgton Jenkins – would seem to indicate that Bitonio is not coming back.
A club source texted, “When Joel makes his decision, everyone will know.”
If Bitonio did come back, however, he could return to left guard for the 2026 season, Elgton Jenkins could be the starting center, and Johnson could move to right guard.
With Howard taking over right tackle, a starting left tackle would be the only missing piece for GM Andrew Berry to fill in. That final piece could come in the draft.
Elgton Jenkins, however, reportedly struggled during his time at center in 2025 and has been a much better player at left guard in his Green Bay career.
If Bitonio does not return, Elgton Jenkins would be the new starting left guard and Johnson would start at right guard. Berry then would still need to find a center, although he has said he expects Luke Wypler to be ready for the 2026 season after he suffered a knee injury in Game 17.
Wednesday would seem to be a deadline for Bitonio’s decision because his contract, which technically has four “dummy years” remaining, will void at the start of the new league year, which begins at 4 p.m.
If that happens, the Browns would be assessed $23.5 million in dead cap charges due to past restructures of Bitonio’s contract. Those charges could be broken up to $8.5 million in 2026 and $14.9 million in 2027 if the Browns designate Bitonio a post-June 1 release.