Green Bay’s $16M Lineman Reinvents Himself With Dramatic Weight Loss, Bold Position Switch, and Renewed Drive to Dominate NFL Trenches

When the Green Bay Packers signed Elgton Jenkins to a four-year, $68 million contract extension in 2022—making him one of the highest-paid interior offensive linemen in the league—they didn’t just invest in talent. They invested in versatility, toughness, and character. Three years later, that bet is paying off in ways even the front office couldn’t have predicted.

After a physically and mentally taxing 2023 season marred by injuries and inconsistency, Jenkins entered the 2024 offseason determined to make radical changes. The result? A leaner, more explosive version of himself. The 6-foot-5 lineman dropped nearly 20 pounds, reshaped his nutrition plan, and embraced a new role that sees him moving outside to right tackle—a shift aimed at giving the Packers a more athletic, flexible offensive front.

“It was either evolve or plateau,” Jenkins said during minicamp this spring. “I wasn’t happy with how I played last year. I knew I had more in the tank—I just had to unlock it.”

That self-awareness is what separates Jenkins from most. Since being drafted in the second round out of Mississippi State in 2019, he’s made a name for himself by being wherever the Packers need him. He’s played every position on the line, including center in a pinch. But with Green Bay’s reshuffling under new offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, Jenkins was asked to do something even bolder: slim down and take over the right tackle spot full-time.

He didn’t hesitate.

In previous years, Jenkins weighed in around 325 pounds, using brute strength and leverage to neutralize elite interior pass rushers. But in 2024, he’s playing at closer to 305 pounds, with noticeably more burst off the line and improved stamina deep into practices.

“His feet are quicker. His pad level is better. He looks faster out there,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “He’s always been a technician, but now you’re seeing that combined with some real athleticism.”

The transformation started in February. Jenkins flew to Arizona to train at EXOS, a facility known for reshaping elite NFL talent. There, he worked with nutritionists and biomechanical experts to change how he moved—and how he fueled his body.

Gone were the heavy steaks and carb-heavy dinners. In came lean proteins, microgreens, and daily hydration monitoring. Jenkins dropped body fat without losing strength, a delicate balance that required meticulous planning.

“I wanted to feel light on my feet again,” Jenkins said. “I didn’t want to just push people—I wanted to dance with them. I wanted to be more of a weapon in space.”

It didn’t take long for teammates to notice the difference.

“You see him pull on a screen play now, and it’s like, ‘Whoa, who is that?’” said running back Josh Jacobs. “He’s moving like a tight end out there.”

The position change was spurred by both necessity and opportunity. Green Bay had drafted a guard they believe in, while right tackle was a question mark after losing Yosh Nijman in free agency. Jenkins, always the team-first player, didn’t blink at the shift—even though tackle carries higher expectations and scrutiny.

“It’s a different world out there on the edge,” he admitted. “You’re dealing with speed guys. You don’t have help inside as much. But I trust my technique, and I’ve been preparing for this.”

That preparation included countless hours watching tape—not just of his own reps, but of elite tackles like Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, and Penei Sewell. Jenkins took detailed notes, studied hand placement, and worked with longtime Packers offensive line coach Luke Butkus on adjusting his stance and kick-slide mechanics.

“He’s like a sponge,” Butkus said. “You give him something, and the next day he’s already mastered it.”

There’s also the matter of leadership. At 29, Jenkins is one of the elder statesmen in a locker room brimming with young talent. With David Bakhtiari no longer with the team, Jenkins is the de facto leader of the offensive line—and he’s embracing it.

“It’s my room now,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been through the battles. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. And if I can help these younger guys avoid some of the mistakes I made early on, then I’ve done my job.”

Teammates like 2023 first-round pick Zach Tom and 2024 third-rounder Devonte Montgomery say Jenkins has been a steadying force during training camp.

“He’s always talking—always coaching us up,” said Tom. “You never feel like you’re on your own. That’s what makes him so valuable.”

Jenkins’ revamped approach has already paid dividends in early camp practices. He’s handled speed rushers in 1-on-1 drills, anchored effectively in team sessions, and earned praise for his communication during no-huddle periods.

The Packers believe his improved agility will also allow them to be more creative with their run game, particularly in wide-zone and outside toss plays, where linemen need to get to the second level quickly. Jenkins’ ability to pull, reach-block, and mirror linebackers could open up new lanes for Jacobs and rookie scatback Ty’Ron Jackson.

“If you’re going to run the ball in this league, you need guys who can move,” Stenavich said. “Elgton gives us that now at the tackle position—and not every team has that luxury.”

Still, the transition isn’t without growing pains. Jenkins admits he’s had to recalibrate his timing against edge rushers, particularly when facing speed-to-power moves. But he’s been quick to adapt, and his understanding of defensive fronts allows him to anticipate pressure better than most.

As for the contract that made him one of the highest-paid linemen in football? Jenkins shrugs at the suggestion it adds pressure.

“I play for my family, my teammates, and the name on my back,” he said. “The money’s great. But the respect—that’s what I really care about.”

There’s plenty of that inside 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

“He’s a guy you win with,” LaFleur said. “He’s going to be huge for us this year—not just because of where he plays, but how he plays.”

Indeed, in a season where the Packers are aiming to take the next step with Jordan Love at quarterback and a fast, ascending defense on the other side of the ball, Jenkins’ evolution could be one of the under-the-radar keys to success.

He knows the spotlight will come if he performs. He’s ready for it.

“I feel like I’ve got something to prove,” Jenkins said. “I’ve been good. I want to be great. I want to dominate.”

The NFC North may soon find out what a faster, smarter, leaner Elgton Jenkins looks like.

If early signs are any indication, the Packers’ $16 million man just might be ready to take over the edge—and the narrative.