What Does Signing a Former Pro Bowl Packers Center Give the Cleveland Browns?
On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns added a second offensive lineman to the unit via free agency, this time adding former Green Bay Packers center Elgton Jenkins. Jenkins and the Browns agreed to terms on a two-year, $24 million deal, giving Cleveland a much-needed veteran presence and a strong body on a weak unit. Drafted out of Mississippi State in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Jenkins has spent his entire seven-year career with the Packers. The highlights of his career came in 2020 and 2022, when he started in at least 15 games and made the Pro Bowl in both years. Not only has he been one of the NFL’s most consistent centers this decade, but Jenkins has also demonstrated a versatile skill set, taking snaps at multiple positions on the line for the Packers. The Jenkins deal gives the Browns a good player in a position of need, no doubt, but it gives Cleveland’s front office a few other intangibles as well.
Andrew Berry’s Strong Start Gives Him, and Browns Fans, a Much-Needed Confidence Boost
It’s unfortunate that a general manager like Andrew Berry, who has drafted fairly well and hit on certain trades, has the mixed bag reputation that he holds among Cleveland’s fans. Much of that can be attributed to the woeful Deshaun Watson trade and the fact that the Browns are still in desperate need of a franchise leader at quarterback, but Berry has started 2026 on the right foot. The offensive line was the number one issue for the Browns, and in just a few moves, Berry has completely overhauled that issue. It started with a small trade with the Houston Texans for tackle Tytus Howard. Now, the Browns have signed two offensive linemen in the first two days of the legal tampering period, and only left tackle remains for Berry and his front office, who also brought back veteran guard Teven Jenkins on Tuesday as well. It’s baby steps, but the signing of the former Packer can serve as a signal to the Dawg Pound that Berry is trying to bring this franchise back to the postseason.
With the Offensive Line Largely Addressed, Cleveland May Take the Best Player Available Early in the Draft
The signing of Jenkins isn’t just a signal that the Browns really are serious about improving their team, but adding another offensive lineman through free agency shows that other positions may be addressed early in the draft. Cleveland still needs to find a left tackle to protect the blindside of either Watson or Shedeur Sanders, but if Miami’s Francis Mauigoa goes to the Arizona Cardinals with the third pick in this year's draft or the Tennessee Titans with the fourth pick, then the Browns would really be reaching if they drafted a different lineman. Although the offensive line has been greatly improved by signing players, the Browns may have to use the draft to improve their wide receiver room. With the sixth pick, Ohio State standout Carnell Tate may be available for the Browns, which would give Cleveland a tremendous deep-ball threat. If both Mauigoa and Tate are off the board, then the signing of Jenkins still keeps the Browns in a flexible position, meaning Cleveland could look at Tate’s teammate, Sonny Styles, or a strong cornerback in LSU’s Mansoor Delane to pair with Denzel Ward. Either way, the Jenkins deal really sets Cleveland up to be a stronger club than it was in 2025, both on the field and in the offseason.
