Are the Packers Preparing to Cut Part of Jordan Love’s Offense Over a $70M Move?
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
As the 2026 NFL offseason approaches, the Green Bay Packers face one of the most consequential roster puzzles in recent memory. After finishing the 2025 season with high expectations but an early playoff exit, front office decision makers are now tasked with balancing salary cap pressures with offensive continuity around quarterback Jordan Love. That has led to speculation about a potential release and a major investment to fix one of the team’s biggest offseason concerns.
At the heart of the discussion: whether Green Bay will cut longtime center Elgton Jenkins and, if so, whether they’re prepared to spend roughly $70 million to replace him with a younger, high-end option to protect the heart of Love’s offense.
Cap Reality Forces Difficult Choices
The Packers currently find themselves slightly over the salary cap, a situation that puts added pressure on general manager Brian Gutekunst and his front office to make tough decisions before the new league year. One of the biggest contributors to that cap strain is Jenkins, whose contract carries a $24.3 million cap hit in 2026.
At 30 years old, Jenkins is coming off a season-ending injury and did not return to the Pro Bowl–level form many expected. According to NFL reports, his recent performance, combined with his fourth-highest cap figure on the team, has made him a prime candidate for a cut.
Cutting Jenkins would create significant cap relief. Financial projections suggest Green Bay would clear more than $19.5 million against the 2026 cap, a substantial boost for a club needing to retool parts of the roster around Love.
A Bold $70M Solution: Tyler Linderbaum
One name being floated as the potential solution is Tyler Linderbaum, the former first-round center out of the Baltimore Ravens. Multiple NFL analysts estimate that Linderbaum, a three-time Pro Bowl-caliber interior lineman, could command a four-year deal worth roughly $70.8 million in free agency, an average of about $17.7 million per season
Conclusion: A Pivotal Offseason Decision
In Green Bay, foundational decisions like this are never made lightly. The potential for a $70 million commitment to a top center could make for a major offseason headline, but cap realities appear to be forcing the Packers to choose between retaining veteran production and investing heavily in youthful potential.
