The Green Bay Packers’ bold offseason move to sign guard Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million contract raised eyebrows from the start. Now, with training camp looming, that decision is spiraling into a full-blown problem, threatening team chemistry and roster stability. The ripple effects of this apparent overpay are becoming painfully clear, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent blockbuster deal with guard Trey Smith has only magnified the Packers’ misstep.
A Costly Commitment to Aaron Banks
When the Packers inked Aaron Banks to a deal averaging $19.25 million per year, it placed him among the NFL’s highest-paid guards, ranking sixth behind elite names like Trey Smith ($23.5 million), Landon Dickerson, Chris Lindstrom, Quenton Nelson, and Robert Hunt. Those five guards boast a combined 15 Pro Bowl appearances and eight All-Pro selections. Banks, however, has no such accolades. His performance last season was middling at best: a Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass-blocking grade that ranked 74th out of 132 guards and a run-blocking grade of 38th. While Banks is a solid run-blocker, his pass protection lags far behind the elite guards his contract suggests he belongs among.
The massive deal not only screams overpay but also forced a seismic shift in the Packers’ offensive line. To accommodate Banks at left guard, the team moved Pro Bowl lineman Elgton Jenkins to center—a position change that has sparked frustration and led to Jenkins holding out of the offseason program as he seeks to rework his contract. Jenkins, a versatile and proven performer, understandably wants financial security that reflects his value, especially after being asked to switch to a less lucrative position. His cap hit is already set to climb to $24.8 million next year, and the Packers may be reluctant to increase that number further.
Trey Smith’s Deal Puts Green Bay’s Blunder in Perspective
The Chiefs’ recent signing of Trey Smith to a four-year, $94 million contract—making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history—has cast an even harsher spotlight on the Packers’ decision. Smith’s deal is a benchmark for what a top-tier guard commands, but Banks’ contract isn’t far behind despite his lackluster resume. The comparison is stark: Smith is a proven star, while Banks is a gamble who hasn’t yet earned his paycheck on the field.
The fallout from the Banks signing doesn’t stop with Jenkins’ holdout. The Packers’ offensive line is now a tangled mess of uncertainty. Second-round pick Anthony Belton, one of several unsigned second-rounders across the NFL, may face a delayed start to training camp, further complicating the team’s preparations. Meanwhile, second-year lineman Jordan Morgan could have competed for the left guard spot, offering a cheaper, younger alternative to Banks. Instead, the Packers’ commitment to Banks effectively locks him into a starting role, regardless of how he performs in camp.
Missed Opportunities and Alternative Paths
The Packers had options to avoid this mess. They could have kept Jenkins at left guard, where he’s excelled, and pursued a free-agent center like the Chicago Bears did with Drew Dalman, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal. Dalman outshined Banks last season, ranking 16th in PFF run-blocking grade (compared to Banks’ 55th) and 66th in pass-blocking (Banks was 117th). Another option was to draft a center or let Morgan and Belton battle for the left guard job, preserving Jenkins’ role and avoiding the need for a splashy free-agent signing.
Instead, the Packers’ front office took a gamble that’s now backfiring. If Morgan or Belton outplays Banks in training camp, the team will face an awkward situation: bench a player with a $77 million contract or stick with an underperformer to justify the investment. Either way, the decision disrupts the offensive line’s cohesion and raises questions about the team’s long-term strategy.
A Looming Training Camp Crisis
As training camp approaches, the Packers must navigate Jenkins’ holdout and Belton’s unsigned status while hoping Banks can live up to his hefty price tag. The financial commitment to Banks has created unnecessary tension, and Jenkins’ push for a new deal is a direct consequence. If the Packers can’t resolve these issues, they risk entering the season with a disgruntled star, an unproven rookie, and a guard whose contract far outweighs his production.
The Chiefs’ signing of Trey Smith serves as a brutal reminder of what a top guard’s contract should look like—and why the Packers’ gamble on Banks may go down as one of their biggest offseason blunders. With camp just around the corner, Green Bay’s $77 million mistake is resurfacing in the worst way possible, threatening to derail their offensive line before the season even begins.