The San Francisco 49ers’ decision to part ways with several key players during the 2025 offseason is looking like a masterstroke, particularly when it comes to former left guard Aaron Banks. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers, who hoped to bolster their offensive line with Banks’ high-profile signing, are already regretting their investment. The $77 million, four-year deal for the former 49ers second-round pick is shaping up to be one of the most glaring missteps of the NFL offseason, with Banks’ early performance exposing significant cracks in Green Bay’s offensive line.
The Packers, under head coach Matt LaFleur, aimed to add physicality and stability to their offensive line by signing Aaron Banks to a hefty contract. Selected by San Francisco in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Banks was expected to bring reliability and grit to Green Bay’s front. However, just a few weeks into the 2025 season, the move is looking like an expensive miscalculation.
According to Pro Football Focus, Banks’ performance has been abysmal. His overall grade of 38.3 ranks him 73rd out of 76 qualifying guards this season—a shocking statistic for a player commanding such a significant contract. Fans and analysts alike have taken to social media platforms like X to voice their frustration, pointing out Banks’ lack of impact and inability to live up to expectations. Posts on X have highlighted his struggles in pass protection and run blocking, with some calling the signing “a disaster” for Green Bay.
Adding insult to injury, Banks has already been plagued by injuries. He missed Week 2 due to a lingering issue and is currently listed on the injury report with a groin problem ahead of the Packers’ critical Week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Alongside Banks, other key offensive linemen—right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) and right tackle Anthony Belton (ankle)—are also sidelined, further exposing Green Bay’s vulnerability up front.
While Green Bay grapples with the fallout of their overspend, the San Francisco 49ers are reaping the benefits of their calculated offseason decisions. As noted by Niner Noise’s Luke Morris, the 49ers avoided a staggering $341,522,500 in free-agent contracts for players who left their roster, including Banks, while spending just $41,880,000 on new signings. This unprecedented $299,642,500 spending deficit—the largest in NFL history—has allowed San Francisco to maintain financial flexibility while remaining competitive.
Letting Banks walk was a particularly savvy move. The 49ers have turned to veteran Ben Bartch and rookie Connor Colby to fill the void at left guard, and while neither has solidified the role, their combined cost is a fraction of Banks’ massive deal. For San Francisco, the early returns suggest they dodged a bullet, with Banks’ struggles in Green Bay validating their decision to move on.
To be fair, the 2025 season is still young, and Aaron Banks has time to redeem himself. Injuries may have hampered his ability to find a rhythm, and adjusting to a new team and system can take time. However, the early signs are troubling. Green Bay’s offensive line was expected to be a strength, but with Banks underperforming and injuries piling up, the unit is quickly becoming a liability. The Packers’ passing game, led by quarterback Jordan Love, relies heavily on solid protection, and their run-heavy scheme under LaFleur demands a dominant front. Banks’ struggles threaten to undermine both.
For now, the 49ers are likely celebrating their foresight. By avoiding an overpay for a player who has yet to prove his worth, they’ve maintained cap flexibility while Green Bay is left holding the bag. If Banks doesn’t turn things around soon, the Packers’ offensive line woes could derail their season, and his signing will go down as one of the costliest mistakes in recent NFL history.
As the Packers prepare for their Week 4 showdown with the Broncos, all eyes will be on their beleaguered offensive line. If Banks can return from his groin injury and begin to show the form that earned him a lucrative deal, Green Bay may yet salvage their investment. However, if his struggles persist, the 49ers’ decision to let him go will look even more brilliant, and Green Bay’s nightmare start could spiral into a season-long problem.