Potential Bears’ free-agent target Elgton Jenkins re-signs with Packers

The Green Bay Packers and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins have agreed to terms on a new four-year, $68 million contract that will prevent one of the NFL’s most coveted 2023 free agents from hitting the open market.

Needless to say, this is bad news for the Chicago Bears.

Sources: The #Packers and star OL Elgton Jenkins have agreed to terms on a massive 4-year extension worth $68M base value with a max value of $74M. The deal, which makes him the 2nd highest paid guard in the NFL, was done by Damarius Bilbo & Kelton Crenshaw of @KlutchSports. pic.twitter.com/1Y4pPtN2eW

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2022

Jenkins ranked high on almost every offseason wish list, with many outlets listing him as the top choice for GM Ryan Poles and the salary-cap-rich Chicago Bears.

Jenkins’ position versatility — he can play inside and outside at an All-Pro level — made him a logical target for the Bears. Chicago will prioritize the offensive line in free agency, but with Elgton Jenkins off the board, they’ll be forced to move their second and third choices up a spot.

Players like Orlando Brown Jr. (Chiefs) and Jack Conklin should generate interest, but it was Jenkins who was the big get.

Now, he’ll be a Packer for, presumably, the rest of his career.