Packers dealing with multiple training camp headaches as start date quickly approaches, and position group is heavily affected

Maybe, the New Orleans Saints give quarterback Tyler Shough a fully-guaranteed deal, forcing teams with picks between 35 and 39 to do the same. Guarantees would gradually decrease after that, allowing the Packers to sign Belton with higher guarantees than 54th picks got in the past, but still without breaking trends.

Los Angeles Chargers' Tre Harris, the pick right after the Packers', became the first holdout.

Elgton Jenkins and a hard decision

Jenkins wants a contract adjustment, and this is more of a unique Packers' circumstance than Belton's. Moving from left guard to center, the veteran wants to be paid before he goes to a less valuable position—especially because there are no guarantees left on his deal, which goes through 2026.

The offensive lineman is slated to make $12.8 million this season and $20 million next year, making him a prime cut candidate if things don't go right at center. It makes sense for him to request a better structure, at least.

But it also makes sense for the Packers to avoid an extension. Jenkins will be 30 by December, the track record with third contracts isn't great, and giving up a new extension with two years left on an old deal sets a bad precedent for future negotiations.

A middle ground would probably include some player-friendlier terms, but without adding real money or truly extending the deal—a early roster bonus in 2026 seems like the ideal tool, because Jenkins would at least reach free agency under better circumstances if cut in March, instead of facing what Jaire Alexander did this offseason.

How the Packers will approach it

If Jenkins and Belton are out for the beginning of camp, the Packers will have to manage the lack of offensive line pieces. The rookie was available during the offseason program and played as a swing tackle with the twos. Without him, veterans Kadeem Telfort and Travis Glover should have more reps. The other option, but that’s something that would happen anyway, is the rotation between Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan at left tackle.

Jenkins already missed OTAs and held in during mandatory minicamp, so there’s a better understanding of how the coaching staff will approach the situation. Last year’s fifth-round pick Jacob Monk had the majority of center reps. The alternative is to move right guard Sean Rhyan to center, with Morgan back at right guard.