CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the case of Elgton Jenkins and the Browns, one team’s failed physical turned into another’s opportunity.
The Browns signed the versatile Jenkins this week, the same day the Packers released the 30-year-old with a failed physical designation. It’s a two-year, $24 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.
Jenkins fractured his lower leg and suffered ligament damage in November, ending his 2025 season on injured reserve.
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The Packers signed Sean Rhyan to a three-year, $33 million contract extension on Sunday, and moving on from Jenkins cleared more than $19.5 million in additional salary cap space.
“I wasn’t surprised (to be released),” Jenkins said on Friday during an introductory Zoom call with reporters. “We were in talks about the situation and how we were going to do it moving forward.”
Jenkins had played predominantly at guard prior to last season. According to data from Pro Football Focus, he played 999 of 1,073 offensive snaps at left guard in 2024 and all of his snaps there in 2023.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2022, starting the season at right tackle before moving to left guard in Week 7, where he finished the season.
He played predominantly left guard when he was drafted in the second round out of Mississippi State in 2019 and made his first Pro Bowl in 2020. He played all but one snap at left tackle in 2021 before tearing his ACL in Week 11.
His versatility is part of his appeal as he arrives in a situation where all five spots might be up for grabs, depending on if left guard Joel Bitonio decides to retire.
“I want to keep an open mind moving forward,” Jenkins said. “The more guys we got, the better they can play different positions, but obviously you don’t want to play musical chairs and stuff like that, but you do want guys that are able to fill in if a guy goes down or we need a guy this week and things like that. So I’m definitely open to playing anything and what’s going to help the team.”
His shifting roles go all the way back to high school, where he played left tackle as a junior and then guard when they went to a more run-heavy attack his senior season. He started out as a swing tackle at Mississippi State before he filled in for an injured teammate at guard. He finished out as a center his final two seasons.
The Packers picked him with the 44th overall pick.
The Browns have remade most of their offensive line, acquiring tackle Tytus Howard in a trade with Houston and signing guard Zion Johnson in free agency. They also re-signed guard Teven Jenkins.
Jenkins appears on track to fill the void at center. Ethan Pocic ruptured his Achilles in Week 14 against Tennessee and is now a free agent, while his backup, Luke Wypler, was carted to the locker room in Week 18 against Cincinnati.
He could also move to the guard spot opposite Johnson if Bitonio retires. The Browns are expected to draft a tackle and, with 10 picks in the draft, could also add a center or another interior lineman.
“We’re just keeping an open mind,” Jenkins said about where he expects to play. “I think the offseason workout is going to clear that out a little more than what it is now. Can we put the best starting five on the field? I think that’s one of the main things right now.”
The first thing for Jenkins is to get healthy. He said he’s rehabbing and plans to be in attendance when the offseason program begins in April. He didn’t get into specifics about when he might return to the practice field but said he plans to be ready for Week 1.
He passed a physical with the Browns before officially signing on Friday.
“Every week I see progress,” Jenkins said.
Once he’s healthy, Jenkins will give the Browns a rock in the middle of their line and he’ll get the opportunity to show the Packers they made a mistake.
“It definitely motivates me,” Jenkins said. “A team you’ve been with for so long and they’ve got to go a different route, but that’s the nature of the business, so just glad to be a Brown and ready to win some games.”
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