Green Bay Packers release C Elgton Jenkins

Releasing a $24M AAV center in the offseason earns a D+ Contract Value Index (CVI)—a move that signals cap-relief desperation rather than strategic pruning. Jenkins carries elite positional pedigree, but the Packers' decision to cut him outright instead of exploring trade routes suggests the front office deemed the salary unsustainable relative to current-window value, especially with the team sitting at 9-7-1 and the regular season 91 days away. A $24M center contract represents a franchise-level commitment to the position, yet Green Bay chose to absorb the cap hit rather than retain him through the upcoming stretch—a clear indictment of either Jenkins' recent-season durability or the organization's financial constraints. CVI grades reflect the *transaction efficiency*, not the player's talent; releasing a Pro Bowl–caliber center at this salary point typically means the team believes it can address the position cheaper or that the dead-cap/cap-space trade-off favors flexibility elsewhere. For a roster clinging to playoff positioning with momentum questions (L4 streak entering the season phase), dumping a $24M annual obligation without a replacement strategy already in place compounds the risk—this cut either precedes a more aggressive roster overhaul or signals a front office gambling that youth and depth can bridge a critical gap. The CVI penalty reflects the misalignment between the salary premium paid and the transaction value returned; few teams get credit for cutting premium talent mid-window, even when necessary.